Israel to give third shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to elderly citizens

Tel Aviv: Israel is set to vaccinate the country's elderly citizens against Covid-19 with a third dose of the Pfizer jab, said the Ministry of Health in a statement released on Thursday.

The recommendation regarding the same was passed to the Director General of the Ministry, Nachman Ash, who would decide within days when the third vaccination jabs would begin and at what ages, reports Xinhua news agency.

Though the Management Team of Epidemics has recommended vaccinating the elderly, the team were divided over the minimum age to be vaccinated, which ranges from 60 to 70, the Ministry said.

The vaccination programme in Israel began on December 20, 2020. The first phase of vaccination was intended to cover the medical staff, people aged over 65, and chronic patients.

Since then, the vaccine eligibility age has gradually decreased and currently all people aged 12 and over are eligible to get vaccinated with the first and second doses.

Israel has already started offering the third dose for adults with weak immune systems starting from July 12.