Sunday, January 02, 2022
Infection numbers are increasing
Israel releases fourth vaccination for the elderly
In the fight against Omikron, Israel relies on boosters. After the government initially approved the fourth corona vaccination for immunocompromised citizens, it is now the turn of people over 60. The country definitely wants to forego another lockdown.
Israel now also wants to vaccinate over 60s and medical staff for the fourth time against the corona virus. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told journalists on Sunday evening that the Ministry of Health had approved the move. It followed the recommendation of a committee of experts in view of the rapid spread of the Omikron variant. The fourth vaccination for people with immunodeficiency began in Israel on Friday. The second booster was also allowed in care facilities for seniors.
A week ago, the Schiba Hospital near Tel Aviv started a study on the fourth vaccination against the coronavirus with the vaccine from Pfizer / Biontech. The clinic announced interim results: The side effects are similar to those after the third dose. In the coming days they also want to inform about the extent to which the antibodies rise again after the fourth dose.
Israel has already passed the fourth corona wave, but the number of infections has recently increased massively again. Currently, the average number is 5000 new infections per day. Bennett said given the omicron wave, they expected them to top 20,000 by the end of the week. He refuses another lockdown. “Our main goal is still to have a functioning economy while protecting the most vulnerable.”
Only around 60 percent of the 9.4 million Israelis are still considered fully vaccinated. These are twice vaccinated up to six months after the second vaccination and people with booster vaccination. 31 percent of the population are not vaccinated at all, with nine percent the vaccination has already expired.