Faced with an increase in contamination in recent weeks, Israel is calling on its citizens over the age of 60 to receive a third dose of the vaccine to protect themselves against Covid-19, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced Thursday in a televised statement.
Israel is calling on its citizens over the age of 60 to receive a third dose of the vaccine to protect against the coronavirus, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Thursday in a televised statement.
Faced with an increase in contamination in recent weeks linked to the spread of the Delta variant, the Jewish state is launching a "complementary vaccination campaign" from Sunday for people over 60 who were vaccinated more than five years ago months, Naftali Bennett said.
"I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose. Protect yourself," said the Prime Minister.
President Isaac Herzog, 60, will receive the first dose of the vaccine on Friday morning, Naftali Bennett said.
"A third dose has neutralizing effects against the Delta variant"
"A few days after the third dose, you will have more immune defenses," said Naftali Bennett.
"Vaccines protect against mortality just like the flu shot, which has to be redone from time to time."
"This third dose can save lives," said Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, who spoke after the Prime Minister.
More than 2,000 people with severe immunosuppression have already received a third dose of the vaccine in Israel without any adverse consequences, Naftali Bennett said, adding that "the decision was taken after serious research and analysis ".
According to pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, which produces the vaccine mainly used in Israel, "new studies show that a third dose has neutralizing effects against the Delta variant (which are) more than five times higher in young people and more than eleven times higher. in older people. "
More than 15,000 positive cases
About 55% of Israel's population has been fully vaccinated thanks to a massive campaign launched in late December, mostly with Pfizer vaccines.
In early June, the authorities extended the vaccination to young people aged 12 to 16 and from August 1, children aged 5 to 11 at risk of serious complications from Covid-19 can be vaccinated by insurance funds disease.
The Hebrew state has recorded more than 1,400 new cases of contamination in the last 24 hours compared to 100 per day in mid-June.
More than 15,000 active cases are currently identified, including 151 hospitalized in serious condition, according to the Ministry of Health.
Faced with this increase in contamination, Israel reinstated the health pass on Thursday.
Only people fully vaccinated, cured of Covid-19 or with a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours will be allowed to enter a place accommodating more than 100 people, indoors or outdoors.
The Israeli authorities want to avoid a return to compulsory confinement for the entire population.
"Our goal is to keep the country open, but for that we have to defeat the pandemic and only the speed of the vaccinations will bring this victory," said Bennett.