An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine from the Magen David Adom during a campaign to encourage the vaccination of teenager in Tel Aviv.
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine from the Magen David Adom during a campaign to encourage the vaccination of teenager in Tel Aviv.
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine from the Magen David Adom during a campaign by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality to encourage the vaccination of teenagers, on July 5, 2021, in Tel Aviv. - Israel is now urging more 12- to 15-year-olds to be vaccinated, citing new outbreaks attributed to the more infectious Delta variant. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine from the Magen David Adom during a campaign by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality to encourage the vaccination of teenagers, on July 5, 2021, in Tel Aviv. - Israel is now urging more 12- to 15-year-olds to be vaccinated, citing new outbreaks attributed to the more infectious Delta variant. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
12-year-old Yonatan Rosh receives a Covid-19 vaccine as he is support by his mother Ilana at a vaccines station in Tel Aviv.
12-year-old Yonatan Rosh receives a Covid-19 vaccine as he is support by his mother Ilana at a vaccines station in Tel Aviv.
12-year-old Yonatan Rosh eating ice cream he got for free after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination station in Tel Aviv.
12-year-old Yonatan Rosh eating ice cream he got for free after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination station in Tel Aviv.
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Israel is now urging more 12- to 15-year-olds to be vaccinated, citing new outbreaks attributed to the more infectious Delta variant.
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Israel is now urging more 12- to 15-year-olds to be vaccinated, citing new outbreaks attributed to the more infectious Delta variant.
Israeli youths receive a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Some 5.2 million people have received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, after Israel obtained millions of doses.
Israeli youths receive a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Some 5.2 million people have received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, after Israel obtained millions of doses.
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. The Israeli health ministry reimposed a requirement last month for masks to be worn in enclosed public places following a surge in Covid cases.
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. The Israeli health ministry reimposed a requirement last month for masks to be worn in enclosed public places following a surge in Covid cases.
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. About three-quarters of Israelis in eligible age groups have received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. About three-quarters of Israelis in eligible age groups have received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
A minor receives a Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination station in Tel Aviv, Israel.
A minor receives a Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination station in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Israeli youths arrive to receive a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine - bookings doubled and tripled after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned that currently allotted doses would expire on July 9.
Israeli youths arrive to receive a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine - bookings doubled and tripled after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned that currently allotted doses would expire on July 9.
Israeli youths arrive to receive a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
Israeli youths arrive to receive a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
A minor receives a COVID-19 vaccines at a vaccination station in Tel Aviv.
A minor receives a COVID-19 vaccines at a vaccination station in Tel Aviv.

Coronavirus

Pfizer-BioNTech less effective against Delta variant, Israel data shows

Vaccine protected 64 per cent of people, down from 94 per cent against the original strain - but still kept vast majority out of hospital

The National

July 06, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Follow the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic here

Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine was less effective against the coronavirus in Israel in recent weeks, but it continues to shield people from severe Covid-19, according to government data.

The vaccine protected 64 per cent of people against the illness between June 6 and early July, down from a previous 94 per cent, Bloomberg reported.

The drop was observed as the Delta variant was spreading in Israel, the Health Ministry said. It also coincided with the lifting of virus restrictions at the start of June.

Despite the indications of increased infections, the data also showed the shot is protecting people from severe illness.

Its effectiveness at preventing hospital admissions fell to 93 per cent, according to the Health Ministry, compared with at least 97 per cent in an earlier government study.

The Delta variant first emerged in India and is spreading around the world as governments race to inoculate people. The mutation has forced some countries to delay or rethink plans to ease curbs on businesses, activity and travel.

Pfizer spokeswoman Dervila Keane declined to comment on the data from Israel. She pointed to research showing the vaccine’s continued protection against new mutations – just slightly reduced in some cases. The evidence so far suggests that the vaccine “will continue to protect against these variants”, she said.

Israel carried out one of the world’s most effective coronavirus inoculation drives, with about 57 per cent of the population now fully vaccinated.

Many new Covid-19 cases are detected among vaccinated people, according to Ynet news service. Last Friday, 55 per cent of the newly infected had been vaccinated, the website said. As of July 4, there were 35 serious cases of coronavirus out of a population of 9.3 million, compared with 21 on June 19.

The government plans to study vaccinated people who contracted the coronavirus, including factors such as age, pre-existing conditions and inoculation dates, to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccine and the rate at which it wears off, the prime minister’s office said.

The government is considering reinstating additional restrictions after restoring a mandate to wear masks indoors in public spaces. No decision has been made on recommending a third dose of vaccine, the Health Ministry said.

Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla has said people will probably need a third dose within 12 months of getting fully protected.

UK to lift most restrictions and drop mandatory masks - in pictures

People, some wearing protective face masks, walk through Waterloo Station in London. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce a plan to remove remaining Covid-19 restrictions on July 19.
People, some wearing protective face masks, walk through Waterloo Station in London. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce a plan to remove remaining Covid-19 restrictions on July 19.
A member of the public walks over Westminster Bridge in London. Boris Johnson will urge the British public to “exercise judgment when going about our lives”.
A member of the public walks over Westminster Bridge in London. Boris Johnson will urge the British public to “exercise judgment when going about our lives”.
People walk along a platform at Leicester Square underground station in London. Social distancing rules will be scrapped, face masks no longer compulsory, people no longer required to use QR codes and large events in full swing, with no intention to use vaccine passports.
People walk along a platform at Leicester Square underground station in London. Social distancing rules will be scrapped, face masks no longer compulsory, people no longer required to use QR codes and large events in full swing, with no intention to use vaccine passports.
Fans queue at a Covid-19 test and collect point as they attend the third one day international cricket match at the Bristol County Ground.
Fans queue at a Covid-19 test and collect point as they attend the third one day international cricket match at the Bristol County Ground.
People wearing face masks ride a train on the London Underground.
People wearing face masks ride a train on the London Underground.
A vaccination bus operates outside Park Walk Primary School in London.
A vaccination bus operates outside Park Walk Primary School in London.
People wear face masks while shopping at Covent Garden in London.
People wear face masks while shopping at Covent Garden in London.
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
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Despacito's dominance in numbers

Released: 2017

Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon

Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube

Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification

Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.

Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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Updated: July 06, 2021, 10:03 AM`