Israel is currently experiencing how paradoxical the pandemic can be. The number of new corona infections every day is higher than ever: on Tuesday, a new negative record, almost 11,000 new cases were reported within 24 hours. The seven-day incidence is more than 700 – almost ten times higher than in Germany. At the same time, however, the government in Jerusalem is spreading at least cautious optimism. Nobody is talking about a lockdown for a long time, and this Wednesday, as planned, the new school year begins with largely face-to-face classes.
The contradiction between the current figures and the general mood can be explained by the fact that those responsible are firmly counting on the success of the next vaccination campaign. Israel became the first country in the world to offer a third dose of vaccine at the end of July. Initially, this affected the 60 plus age group. This so-called booster shot has been available to everyone over the age of twelve since the beginning of the week. The only condition: The second vaccination must be more than five months ago. Since then there have suddenly been long queues in front of the vaccination stations again.
Almost six of the total of nine million Israelis have been vaccinated twice. In the fourth wave with the Delta variant, however, it was found that the vaccination protection had in some cases significantly decreased. In the meantime, more than two million people have taken the booster vaccination, which is again administered almost exclusively with the vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer. According to the Ministry of Health, they have increased their protection against infection and serious symptoms tenfold compared to those who were only twice vaccinated.
With figures like this, the government is massively promoting the third vaccination. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks of a “privilege that no other country has”. At the same time, the pressure is increased to take advantage of the vaccination offer. Above all, this is done through the tried and tested means of the Green Passport, which allows only vaccinated and convalescent people in Israel access to a life like in the times before the pandemic, with visits to restaurants, cultural events or stays in fitness studios. From October 1st, this Green Passport, which was initially issued until next year, is only valid if a third vaccination has been given or the second has not been more than five months ago.
Half of those infected are school children
The new vaccinations have obviously already resulted in the number of serious corona diseases remaining stable for around a week, despite the infection records. It currently affects around 700 patients – and a study from the Hebrew University predicts the number will drop to 500 by mid-September. The so-called R-value, which indicates the dynamics of the contagion, should also decrease from the current 1.1 to 0.85 by then.
The big unknown in this calculation, however, is still the impact of starting school. Schoolchildren already account for around half of new infections and around 80,000 acute cases. Because Israel is a country with a young population, almost a quarter of its people – 2.13 million children under the age of twelve – cannot be vaccinated, at least for now. The vaccination rate for 12 to 15 year olds is 50 percent, for 16 to 18 year olds 80 percent.
To ensure that the school year starts on schedule with face-to-face teaching, the Israeli government has drawn up a comprehensive plan. Among other things, it provides for every student to appear in the classroom on the first day of school with a negative rapid test result. However, unvaccinated teachers are still causing concern, currently around 14 percent of the staff. Those who do not undergo constant tests run the risk of unpaid vacation.