Israel considering fourth shot for high-risk population; at-school vaccinations begin today for children 5 to 11
Public health director mentions in an interview that Israel is also considering shortening time between doses
Israel is close to offering a fourth COVID shot to immune-compromised and high-risk citizens while possibly also shortening the time between booster shots from five months to just three months for the general population.
"Today, the Ministry of Health will begin an emergency program to increase immunization because we are in a race against the Omicron. Starting this morning, there will be a vaccination campaign in schools across the country. We are increasing the HMOs. And yes, we will consider a fourth vaccine for high-risk populations as well. It is also on the agenda," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said at today's Cabinet meeting.
Public Health Director Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis said in an interview with Channel 12 yesterday that shortening time between shots will also be considered.
“People who have received the booster are better protected than those who received only the second, and of course, more than the unvaccinated,” she said.
So far, 55 people in Israel have been detected with the new COVID variant, the Omicron. The government acted swiftly to close the borders to incoming travelers late last month and extended the closure until Dec. 22 in an effort to control the spread of the strain.
Nicole Jansezian was the news editor and senior correspondent for ALL ISRAEL NEWS.
