The latest limit imposed by the US Food and Drug Administration on the coronavirus booster shot took many by surprise, including Dr. Tal Zaks, the Israeli researcher who was in charge of Moderna's vaccine development.
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"I was very surprised," he told Israel Hayom. "But the ruling to administer the booster shot to people over the age of 65 and those at high risk was passed unanimously, and in my opinion, it is only a matter of time until the recommendation is expanded."
Q: In your opinion, is the booster shot effective?
"Yes, data from Israel is clear and it shows that immunity [provided by the booster] is high."
According to Zaks, Israel's entire innoculation campaign is an inspiration to the world.
"The way Israel vaccinated its population has become a model for the whole world. How it enlisted for the mission and understood the dangers."
A few months ago, after serving as Chief Medical Officer at Moderna, Zaks decided to leave the company and look for a new challenge. Most recently, he was offered a job at Teva Pharmaceuticals, Israel's largest drug manufacturer.
"My role in Moderna began to change in early 2020, when I enlisted in the battle against the coronavirus," Zaks said from his home in Newton, Massachusetts. "I learned the importance of communicating with the public and the press, but what motivates me is the scientific endeavor, so for me moving on felt like the natural next step. At the end of the day, the feeling is that the great [COVID] war is coming to an end."
Q: What are your plans now?
"One of the things I was looking for is to try and contribute more to the Israeli biotechnology ecosystem, and so I was delighted when I was offered a place at Teva."
Q: Was the race to develop a COVID vaccine like a madhouse?
"Not a madhouse, but incredibly challenging. I served in the IDF, started out in combat engineering, and then became a paramedic and medic instructor. My whole life I've avoided military jargon, but last year I caught myself using for the first time phrases like "enlist" and "mission." How we worked day and night, had a headquarters and a command. A war without an army or engaging in actual physical battle."
Q: When did you feel like you succeeded in overcoming the virus?
"In May 2020, when we saw the results of the first phase of trials. The absolute victory was after the third phase, when the final results came in. Pfizer's first, then a week later ours."
Q: Did you feel like you were in a race with Pfizer to be the first to develop the vaccine?
"No. I said to myself, 'I only have two rivals – the virus and the ticking clock, and to everyone else I wish victory.'"
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