An Israeli study indicated that Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine was 89.4% effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
While early evidence indicated that coronavirus vaccines reduced the transmission of the virus in addition to disease prevention, experts warned that the question required further study.
The study by Pfizer, BioNTech and the Israeli Ministry of Health was the first decisive indication that a vaccine had really stopped transmission, Bloomberg reported.
The study, which was posted as a sketch and has not yet been evaluated by colleagues, 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 nearly half of the nation’s 9.05 million people being shot so far.
Israel began launching the national Pfizer vaccine on December 20th.
During the study period, from January 17 to February 6, 80 percent of cases of the virus in Israel were a more infectious strain believed to have originated in England. About 27 percent of Israelis aged 15 and over were fully vaccinated by Feb. 6, which the study defined as receiving the second dose more than seven days earlier, according to Bloomberg.
The Israeli Ministry of Health also said that the vaccine is 98% effective in preventing symptoms such as fever and respiratory problems and 99% effective in preventing death or hospitalization, according to Reuters.
Israel has imposed an additional blockade after the English version was detected, but will lift several blockade measures on Sunday, including the reopening of schools and most retailers. The government has also launched the “Green Pass”, an application that allows fully vaccinated citizens or those who are immunized after recovery to show their credentials to stay in hotels or attend public events, according to Reuters.