Israel said on Sunday it would begin offering a third dose of Pfizer Inc. Govt-19 vaccine to adults with weakened immune systems, but stressed that the booster was still being weighed against its availability to the general public.

The rapid spread of the delta variation has led to a resurgence of vaccination rates in Israel as new outbreaks have risen from single digits to about 450 a day in the past month, and the country is mobilizing to expedite the next shipment from Pfizer.

Health Minister Nitson Horowitz said adults with a weakened immune system who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine could receive a booster shot and that a decision on widespread distribution was pending.

Pfizer and its partner Bioentech S.E., the main providers for the rapid release of Israel’s immunization campaign, which began in December. They will ask U.S. and European regulators in the coming weeks to approve booster injections.

Companies cited an increased risk of infection six months after seeking permission for a third injection.

“We are exploring this question, and we still do not have a definitive answer,” Horowitz Khan gave an impetus to the general public in Israel on public radio. “However, we now offer a third vaccine for people with immunodeficiency.”

Half of the 46 patients currently hospitalized in critical condition in Israel have been vaccinated, and the majority belong to risk groups, health officials say. About 5.7 million of Israel’s 9.3 million have received at least one dose.

Last Friday, Israel He reconsidered this Friday the forced use of masks at home, a measure he withdrew ten days ago due to an increase in cases due to delta variation. National Infectious Disease Coordinator, Nachman Ash, I declare it The country does not believe in a fourth wave epidemic, But supported the size The positive rate and the increase in the number of cases crossed the 200 mark this Friday, the highest since April..

Masks will be mandatory again in “unopened” areas, and those under the age of 7, the disabled, those in solitary confinement, staff working in the same room and those performing an act will be excluded. Sporty.

Also, Saloud tries Accelerate vaccination of children 12 to 15 years of age.

Even in small numbers, the rising morbidity rate is worrying Israeli officials Isolated monitoring of returnees from abroad and fines for non-compliance.

The country has closed its outer borders to tourists since the outbreak began in March 2020, which began to facilitate vaccination groups with pre-approval at the end of May., Was curtailed until two weeks ago in order to avoid broken mutations in the epidemiological situation of the country.

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