Two Israeli Doctors Fully Vaccinated with Third Dose Test Positive for Omicron Variant

Breakthrough Infection Despite Receiving Pfizer Vaccine 3 Times
Medical Procedures Even After Positive Test...Concerns Over Confirmed Case

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Concerns about breakthrough infections are growing as it has been reported that two doctors in Israel, who had completed the third dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, were infected with the Omicron variant.

According to local media such as The Times of Israel on the 30th (local time), two doctors affiliated with Sheba Medical Center, Israel's largest medical institution, were infected with the Omicron variant. They had previously received three doses of the Pfizer vaccine but were reported to have experienced breakthrough infections.

Among the two infected individuals, one is a male doctor in his 50s who returned after attending a conference held recently in London, UK. This doctor tested negative both in the local test conducted before returning and the test performed after arriving in Israel, but a few days later, after showing COVID-19 symptoms, he was tested again and confirmed positive.

However, he did not immediately enter self-quarantine after testing positive and reportedly performed several medical procedures and attended two large-scale events. This has raised concerns that the Omicron variant may have spread into the local community. The other doctor infected with the Omicron variant is known to be a cardiologist in his 70s. Israeli health authorities stated that, so far, no additional confirmed cases have been reported among their close contacts.

With the addition of these two cases, the total number of confirmed Omicron variant cases reported in Israel has increased to four. In particular, as healthcare workers who had received booster shots were infected with breakthrough cases, Israeli health authorities found themselves in a perplexing situation. Previously, Israeli health authorities had stated that booster shots are effective in preventing the Omicron variant.

Nitzan Horowitz, Israel's Minister of Health, said at a press conference on the day, "We anticipated the emergence of a new variant, have been preparing for it, and the situation is under control, so there is no need to be alarmed." He explained, "More accurate information will be available in a few days, but so far, booster shots appear to have a high possibility of preventing severe illness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.