JERUSALEM – Israel will start offering a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to people aged over 60, said Prime Minister Naftali Bennett yesterday, one of the first countries to provide a booster shot.
The jabs will begin on Sunday as part of a “complementary vaccination campaign” for over-60s who were fully vaccinated more than five months ago, he said, as concern mounts over the fast-spreading Delta variant.
“I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose.
“Protect yourselves.”
About 55% of Israel’s nine million population have received both vaccine doses, mostly the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, thanks to a massive campaign launched in late December last year following an agreement with its producers.
“Israel has already vaccinated 2,000 immunosuppressed people with a third dose, with no severe adverse events,” said Bennett.
“And now, we’re rolling out a national third-dose campaign.”
President Isaac Herzog will receive the booster shot today.
“The decision was based on considerable research and analysis, as well as the rise in the risk of the Delta variant wave,” said Bennett.
Israel recorded more than 1,400 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours.
Over 15,000 cases remain active, including 151 patients hospitalised in serious condition, according to the Health Ministry.
“This third dose can save lives,” said Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz.
Israel’s digitised medical databases allow for rapid large-scale studies, and its initial roll-out of jabs was among the world’s fastest.
Case numbers dropped dramatically, and early last month, the country eased many restrictions.
However, infections soon rose again, prompting the Health Ministry to reimpose the wearing of masks in enclosed public places.
Last month, health officials said they will open up vaccination to children as young as 12, and earlier this week, they said those aged 5 to 11 who are at risk of serious health complications may be vaccinated from Sunday. – AFP, July 30, 2021
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