Israel to launch Omicron-adapted COVID vaccination campaign this week

Reports say Israel has received the Pfizer vaccines and the country’s health funds are ready to start the vaccination campaign as early as Thursday, with first priority given to those aged 65 and older

i24NEWS, Ynet|
Israel said next week it launch its fifth vaccination campaign with the new jab adapted for the Omicron variant of the virus.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • Reports say the priority will given first to people aged 65 or older, and others in at risk groups - including pregnant women, health workers and teachers.
    2 View gallery
    חיסון קורונה לילדים במודיעין
    חיסון קורונה לילדים במודיעין
    A child being vaccinated against coronavirus in Modi'in Illit
    (Photo: AFP)
    The second priority will be given to the rest of the population. Anyone above the age of 12 and at least three months from a previous shot or COVID illness are eligible.
    According to Channel 12, Israel has received Pfizer vaccines adapted to all Omicron variants and the country’s health funds are ready to start the vaccination campaign as early as Thursday.
    As the country’s Health Ministry registered a moderate increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in recent days, it recommended Israelis to wear masks in confined spaces and conduct home tests ahead of the upcoming Jewish High Holidays.
    2 View gallery
    פרופ' סלמאן זרקא בתדריך עיתונאים בנושא הגבלות נגד הקורונה
    פרופ' סלמאן זרקא בתדריך עיתונאים בנושא הגבלות נגד הקורונה
    Prof. Salman Zarka, Israel’s coronavirus task force chief
    (Photo: GPO)
    Last week, Prof. Salman Zarka, Israel’s coronavirus task force chief, urged those at risk to take the updated booster along with a flu shot. Around half of Israel's 9.4 million population already has three vaccine doses and around 850,000 people have four, according to the Health Ministry’s data.
    Earlier in July, a study conducted by Israeli researchers showed that the fourth COVID vaccine proved to be effective in protecting the elderly population, reducing risk of death from the virus by 72 percent.

    i24NEWS contributed to this report
    Comments
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""