National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins called Israel’s data on Covid-19 booster shots “impressive,” noting that they provided a tenfold reduction in infection for people who received a third dose.

Israel began administering boosters in late July to individuals over 60, giving scientists more time to examine their ability to combat Covid and bolster the waning effectiveness of the initial series of doses. Collins’ comments Thursday came just a day after the Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid booster for high-risk people, including anyone 65 and older.

Collins stated that while I am not tipped too far, the data shows that boosters can in fact reduce the risk of infection. Collins spoke during an interview on Covid, hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The boosters have shown a dramatic reduction of severe illnesses and a 10fold decrease in infection within 12 days. This is what we are most worried about.

Collins stated that Israeli data had shown a 12 fold reduction in severe Covid levels as Israel was experiencing more breakthroughs. Pfizer announced that the third dose of its boosters resulted in a three-fold increase in antibody levels for recipients.

Thursday’s vote will be made by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This panel is composed of experts who provide guidance and support to the FDA. On Wednesday, the panel opened a two-day presentation series on boosters to allow experts and the public to get more data.