Health experts decide to hold off on vaccinating kids who recovered from COVID

Decision made because of lack of information pertaining to Omicron variant; experts say kids who recovered more than 3 months ago can receive jab; no decision made on fourth dose for at risk population

Adir Yanko|
Health Ministry experts decided on Tuesday to delay vaccines for children who have recovered from COVID due to a lack of information on the Omicron variant.
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  • The experts said that parents of children who had recovered from the disease more than three months ago, and want the vaccine administered, should be allowed to do so.
    2 View gallery
    מבצע חיסוני הילדים בישוב אפרת
    מבצע חיסוני הילדים בישוב אפרת
    A child receives the coronavirus vaccine
    (Photo: Yoav Davidovich.)
    During their deliberation, the ministry experts discussed the need to provide a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine to the population at risk, but a final decision was not made.
    The ministry said on Tuesday that 73,000 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have already received their first dose of the pediatric vaccine, constituting 6% of the eligible population.
    2 View gallery
    מתן חיסון בוסטר
    מתן חיסון בוסטר
    Administering the Pfizer booster shot in Tel Aviv
    (Photo: Yariv Katz)
    While only 4% of 5-year old children were given the shot, the percentage more than doubled in the 11-year old group.
    On Tuesday Israel reported its highest tally of new, daily COVID-19 cases since October, health officials said, as the Omicron variant continues to spread throughout the country.
    The Health Ministry said 719 people tested positive for coronavirus on Monday. After 490,586 coronavirus tests had been conducted, the infection rate now stands at 0.68%.
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