‘This is our life from now on’: Top Israel doctor warns population to get ready for fourth vaccine shot. By News Corp.

Israel’s coronavirus commissioner has weighed in on the grim reality of the ever-evolving global pandemic, warning citizens to be prepared for ongoing vaccine booster shots as new variants and outbreaks emerge.

Once the poster boy for vaccination rates, the middle-eastern nation now has a rolling average of 9300 daily cases. Israel has now broken a grim new record — the country with the highest seven day average of new cases per million. …

“This is our life from now on, in waves,” [Salman Zarka, dubbed Israel’s “coronavirus czar”] said.

“It seems that if we learn the lessons from the fourth wave, we must consider the [possibility of subsequent] waves with the new variants, such as the new one from South America.

“And thinking about this and the waning of the vaccines and the antibodies, it seems every few months — it could be once a year or five or six months – we’ll need another shot.”

Israel’s Health Ministry last week also announced the nation’s “Green Pass” system – a “passport” style document allowing entry into public places for the vaccinated – will expire six months after the holder received their second or third dose. …

However, the country’s politicians are insistent no new lockdown will be introduced and have pointed out that despite the surge in cases, serious illness and death among vaccinated Israelis remains low.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has already made clear another countrywide lockdown will “destroy the future of the country”.

After reopening society following a successful vaccination campaign, the country is now being forced to reintroduce caps on public gatherings and bump up hospital staff in preparation for another uncontrollable wave of Covid patients.

Ugh. That’s not a great way to “live with covid”.

Every six months, forever?

I hope Australian officials are taking note, because some Australian states are still covid free and thus still have the choice of whether or not to go down the open-with-vaccines route.

Or we could do what India, Indonesia, and half of Africa have done, and open up but distribute ivermectin instead of relying on vaccines. Considering the possibilities of ADE and a disaster like Marek’s disease, this may well be a more prudent course in the long term.

 

hat-tip Stephen Neil