In a televised statement, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on his citizens over the age of 60 to receive a third dose of the vaccine. This “complementary vaccination campaign” will start from Sunday and concerns people who have been vaccinated more than six months ago. Faced with an increase in contamination in recent weeks, Israel hopes to curb the spread of the Delta variant.
“A few days after the 3rd dose, you will have more immune defenses,” said Naftali Bennett. “Vaccines protect against mortality just like the flu shot, which has to be redone from time to time. “This 3rd dose can save lives,” added Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, who spoke after the Prime Minister.
55% of the Israeli population fully vaccinated
According to the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, which produces the vaccine mainly used in Israel, “new studies show that a third dose has neutralizing effects against the Delta variant more than five times higher in young people and more than eleven times higher in people. elderly. “
About 55% of Israel’s population has been fully vaccinated thanks to a massive campaign launched in late December, mostly with Pfizer vaccines. At the beginning of June, the authorities extended the vaccination to young people aged 12 to 16 and from August 1, children aged 5 to 11 at risk of serious complications from Covid-19 can be vaccinated by insurance funds disease. For his part, President Isaac Herzog, 60, will receive the first dose of this vaccine on Friday morning, Naftali Bennett said.
1,400 new cases in 24 hours
The Hebrew state has recorded more than 1,400 new cases of contamination in the last 24 hours compared to 100 per day in mid-June. More than 15,000 active cases are currently identified, including 151 hospitalized in serious condition, according to the Ministry of Health.
Faced with this increase in contamination, Israel reinstated the health pass on Thursday. Only people fully vaccinated, cured of Covid-19 or with a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours will be allowed to enter a place accommodating more than 100 people, indoors or outdoors.