Israel "Considering Expanding Booster Shots to Those Aged 40 and Over"

Published 12 Aug.2021 18:33(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Israel, the first country in the world to administer the third dose (booster shot) of the COVID-19 vaccine to the elderly and other vulnerable groups, is seriously considering expanding the vaccination target to those aged 40 and above.

Nachman Ash, the chief administrative officer of the Israeli Ministry of Health, said on the 12th (local time) to the Hebrew media outlet Ynet, "The decline in vaccine effectiveness is affecting all age groups, and we are seeing severe infections occurring in the 40 and older age group as well."

This issue may be discussed at the meeting of the Vaccine Advisory Committee under the Israeli Ministry of Health, scheduled for the afternoon of the same day.

Ash added, "This situation must be seriously considered by the advisory committee, and if a decision is made, it will be implemented starting from the 15th."

According to Channel 12's report, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has requested major vaccination institutions, such as healthcare maintenance organizations, to prepare for the expanded application of the third dose.

Israel began administering the third dose to elderly individuals with weakened immunity due to immunosuppressive treatments after organ transplants, starting on the 12th of last month, becoming the first country in the world to do so.

On the 30th of the same month, the third dose target was expanded to include those aged 60 and above who had passed five months since their second dose.

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) opposes the third dose due to vaccine disparities between countries, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not officially approved booster shots, the participation of Israel's elderly population in the third dose vaccination is active.

As of the morning of the same day, 716,518 people in Israel have completed the third dose vaccination.