Israel, World's First to Administer 4th Vaccine Dose... "Recommended for Elderly and Medical Staff"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Israeli health authorities announced that they will be the first in the world to administer the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. They plan to recommend vaccination for the elderly and medical staff, who are at higher risk of severe illness due to the spread of the Omicron variant. It is known that about half of Israel's population has completed the third dose, but with the recent surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant, health authorities are on high alert.

According to the Times of Israel on the 21st (local time), the Israeli vaccine advisory committee and COVID-19 response team recommended the fourth vaccine dose for the elderly and medical personnel in Israel. It is reported that 86% of the advisory committee experts supported the recommendation for the fourth dose.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also stated in a press release on the same day, "Following Israel's introduction of the world's first third dose, we are now leading the way with the fourth dose," adding, "This will help overcome the Omicron variant that has struck the world." He emphasized, "The domestic frontline command and each medical management organization will prepare for immediate vaccination."

According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, more than 4 million people, nearly half of Israel's total population of 9.3 million, have completed the third dose. However, with the recent spread of the Omicron variant causing new confirmed cases to exceed 1,300, reaching the highest level in the past two months, the fourth dose vaccination has been actively implemented.

In the Israeli Ministry of Health's statistics, there have been 341 confirmed cases of Omicron variant infection and 807 suspected cases. As the spread of Omicron accelerates, there are concerns that the COVID-19 outbreak will worsen again.

Minister of Health Nitzan Horowitz also tweeted, "Our top priority is to protect the elderly and medical staff vulnerable to the Omicron variant," urging, "There is no need to wait. Get vaccinated immediately."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.