An Israeli study indicated that the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine for coronavirus was 89.4 percent effective in containing the spread of COVID-19.
Although early evidence indicated that vaccines against coronavirus cut transmission of the virus, in addition to preventing the disease, experts warned that the issue required further study.
The study by Pfizer, BioNTech and the Israeli Ministry of Health was the first decisive indication that a vaccine really stopped transmission, Bloomberg reported.
The study, which was published in draft form and has not yet been peer-reviewed, also suggests that vaccination may prevent the spread of the virus by asymptomatic carriers, according to Bloomberg.
Israel has administered more vaccines per capita than any other country, with almost half of the country’s 9.05 million inhabitants receiving the vaccine so far.
Israel began its national distribution of the Pfizer vaccine on December 20.
During the period covered by the study, from January 17 to February 6, 80% of the cases of the virus in Israel were a more infectious strain that is believed to have originated in England. About 27 percent of Israelis aged 15 and over were fully vaccinated by February 6, which the study defined as having received its second dose more than seven days earlier, according to Bloomberg.
Israel’s health ministry also said the vaccine was 98 percent effective in preventing symptoms such as fever or breathing problems and 99 percent effective in preventing deaths or hospitalization, according to Reuters.
Israel imposed an additional block after the English variant was detected, but is expected to suspend several blocking measures on Sunday, including the reopening of schools and most retailers. The government also launched the “Green Pass”, an application that allows citizens to be fully vaccinated or immunized after recovery to show their credentials for staying in hotels or participating in public events, according to Reuters.