Extremely encouraging findings.
A study conducted by Israel's largest healthcare provider found that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 94% effective in fighting Covid-19.
Clalit Health Services said that its researchers tested 600,000 subjects who had received the recommended two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and the same number of people who had not been given the vaccine.
Importantly, this level of efficacy is maintained through all age groups.
It said: "There was a 94 percent reduction in the rate of symptomatic infection and a 92 percent decrease in the rate of serious illness compared to 600,000 similar (subjects) who were not vaccinated.
"Vaccine efficacy is maintained in all age groups, including those aged 70+.
"The publication of preliminary results at this stage is intended to emphasise to the unvaccinated population that the vaccine is highly effective and prevents serious morbidity."
Israel has been seen as one of the leading countries with regards to the distribution of the vaccine, with 3.8 million people having received a first dose and 2.4 million people having also received a second shot.
In Ireland, meanwhile, people over the age of 85 will start receiving the Pfizer vaccine this week and a total of 80,000 vaccinations are expected to be given out over the next seven days.
Approximately 12,000 first doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine will be administered at 84 GP practices across 20 counties.
