Israel is administering COVID booster injections. Who qualifies to get one?

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“There is growing evidence that immunocompromised patients do not develop a satisfactory antibody response after two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, but some may develop antibodies after a third dose,” the health ministry said on Sunday in a statement. “Given the increased morbidity and spread of the virus in June and July 2021, and the high risk that immunocompromised patients have of developing severe morbidity, these people may be vaccinated with a third dose.”

Who is qualified as “immunocompromised” according to the Ministry of Health?

People with rheumatological or autoimmune diseases treated with specific drugs; those with hematologic malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, or indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma; patients who have suffered from aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma within the past three years; those who have had an autologous stem cell transplant or who have had a stem cell transplant; heart, lung, kidney or liver transplant recipients; or patients receiving CAR-T therapy – all on the recommendation of their treating physician.

Cancer patients with solid tumors such as breast, lung or colon cancer are not eligible for a third dose, according to the ministry’s protocol.

Indeed, studies carried out in hospitals across the country revealed that a significant level of antibodies developed in about 90% of patients and was maintained for several months. In addition, the vaccine may have side effects in these patients, such as enlarged lymph nodes or liver dysfunction, which may affect the course of their cancer treatment.

The ministry said an eight-week interval is recommended between the second and third dose, although under special circumstances that interval may be reduced to four weeks. There is no maximum number of weeks between doses.

In addition, the ministry recommends that a serological test be performed on people who could potentially receive a booster to determine the patient’s antibody level, but this is not mandatory.

No additional dose beyond the third dose can be given.

Even if these people are given an extra jab, the ministry said it recommends that they continue to use non-pharmacological means to protect themselves from contracted COVID-19, such as wearing masks, maintaining good hygiene, avoiding contact with unvaccinated people and refraining from attending. mass gathering.



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