TEL AVIV, Israel — COVID-19 cases are sweeping the globe, with Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reporting 280,032,484 cases and 5,402,430 deaths worldwide as of Monday morning. That number includes 4,030,538 cases in the United States alone in just the last 28 days.
Researchers at an Israeli hospital are now studying the safety and efficacy of a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Those involved with the study at Sheba Medical Center said they are giving an additional shot to 150 medical personnel who have had three prior doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, The New York Times reported.
Israel’s Minister of Health had recommended Israel become the first country to offer a second booster to people over age 60 or who have compromised immune systems, but the ministry’s director-general has not given his final approval, CNBC reported.
Despite the fact that no formal approval has been given, Israel’s Prime Minister said, “This is wonderful news that will assist us in getting through the Omicron wave that is engulfing the world,” ABC News reported.
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