Jerusalem: Israel will start offering the third shot of the Pfizer / Bionech Covid-19 vaccine to people over the age of 60, the first world in an effort to slow down the spread of a highly contagious Delta variant, said health care provider and the word Israeli media on Thursday.
Those who qualify will be able to get booster shots starting on Sunday as long as they receive their second dose more than five months ago, Maccabi Healthcare service said in a statement that confirmed the report about channel TV channels 13 and right.
Israel is a world leader in the launch of vaccination, with many seniors getting shots in December, January and February because they are considered the most vulnerable population sectors.
But since the emergence of the Delta variant, the Ministry of Health has reported twice a decrease in the efficacy of vaccines against infection and a slight decrease in protection against severe diseases.
The Booster campaign, which will be launched by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at the press conference later, will effectively change Israel to be a place for testing for the third dose before approval by US food and medicine administration (FDA).
Pfizer said on Wednesday that people believers need additional doses to maintain protection against Coronavirus High.
The company said it could apply for US Emergency authorization for Booster Shots in early August.
The Israeli vaccination panel that advises the Ministry of Health provides approval for the campaign on Wednesday.
Maccabi, one of Israel’s biggest health care providers, said in his statement that patients who met the requirements were welcome to schedule their vaccination promises through the internet or the center of his call.
Last week, the Ministry of Health estimated that the PFIZER vaccine was only 41% effective by stopping symptomatic infections for the past month.
Protection of severe illness remains strong at 91%.
Some experts have criticized the ministry’s analysis because of possible bias can lean data.
Others say Israel must wait a little longer to receive more information about the safety and effectiveness of the third shot.
About 57% of the 9.3 million Israeli populations have been vaccinated.
About 160 people were hospitalized with severe symptoms and daily new infections have surged to more than 2,000, up from several cases per day a few months ago.
The cabinet hopes the vaccine will allow it to avoid expensive locking by protecting them the most vulnerable to severe illness.