TEL AVIV – Israel is increasing the vaccine, pressuring citizens to receive reinforcing shots from Covid-19 and saying those who do not will have to deal with travel restrictions, dining and other activities.
Holders of Israel’s vaccine passport must receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine within six months of the second dose or lose the so-called green pass that allows them more freedom.
“We are updating what it means to get vaccinated,” Israeli coronavirus tsar Salman Zarka said at a news conference Sunday that unveiled the new policy.
A study released Sunday by the Israeli health ministry found that in 12 days, recipients of a third shot were 10 times less likely to suffer serious illness and 11 times less likely to become infected than people who had received their second dose. five months before.
Israeli health officials say they do not know if additional reinforcements will be needed, beyond the third dose. But they move aggressively to vaccinate as many people as possible with a third shot, as the most contagious Delta variant of the virus spreads. Now all Israelis over the age of 12 are eligible to receive a booster if five months have passed since their second shot.