The one-dose vaccination policy could be disastrous

There are more hospitals in Britain than at the height of the pandemic in March-April and in the US, more than 125,000 people are hospitalized with COVID-19. Both countries have lost control of the spread of the disease.

Despite the background to this medical emergency – which hospitals may not be able to provide appropriate care to patients suffering from heart disease, cancer and deadly diseases far more dangerous than COVID- 19 – some voices in these countries raised a highly controversial proposal: extending the recommended three – week period between two doses of the vaccine or skipping the second dose altogether.

There are significant risks involved in this offer. First and foremost – this recommendation has not been proven to be safe and effective in clinical trials, which may make it more difficult for the public to get on board by getting the picture.

Meniologists and immunologists fear that administration may provide only one form of COVID vaccine but partially protect against the pathogen.

According to the official Pfizer test results, a single dose of the vaccine provides only 52% protection against coronavirus over a period of 10 days to three weeks.

Later tests have shown that these numbers could climb further but could not confirm with absolute certainty. Public protection could play a role in selective evolutionary pressures on the virus that could lead to new mutations that could override the vaccine.

So why are the British and Americans even entertaining the thought of implementing such a policy? Because they are in hard crates.

One of the key figures in the White House Coronavirus Action Group, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said he would not agree to the one-dose policy for the same reasons listed above, even despite the sharp spike in cases in the US.

This recommendation poses a significant threat to public confidence in the vaccine. People need to know that the approach is not influenced by political issues or the solemn handling of raw data.

The public should be as confident as possible in this vaccine which has received emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

People need to be reassured about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine before they can get it. It is impossible that people who received the first dose, expecting a second one, would now hear that the Ministry of Health – and not Pfizer – is ready to change policy, just adding to the -confidence.

Israel should not be in the same pessimistic position as Europe and the US, whether that means tightening social distance rules or continuing to protect high-risk groups at high speed.

The government and the Ministry of Health need to show consistency and focus on these major challenges, and not play dangerous games that come from feelings of crisis and despair abroad.