Israel Begins Distributing Third Dose of COVID Vaccine

Israel has started dispensing third doses of the coronavirus vaccine to individuals with weakened immune systems.

The Health Ministry said in a statement Monday that in light of the rise in new infections in Israel, it was allowing the immuno-compromised to receive a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Though much of the country is vaccinated, Israel has seen a steady increase in new cases of coronavirus in recent weeks.

Most of the new cases are among children who are not eligible for the vaccine, and the government has pushed for teenagers to get vaccinated.

Most of the newly reported cases are mild.

"With the ongoing infection with the new delta virus (variant), we are starting the third vaccination and we are hoping that this will enable us to return to an as normal life as it can be at this time and especially protect our patients," said Prof. Yael Peled, medical director at the Heart transplant unit of Sheba Medical center.

Dozens come to get their third dose Monday after being called by the hospital.

Israel has vaccinated over 61% of its 9.3 million citizens with at least one dose and almost 56% with two doses, the vast majority with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, since launching its vaccination drive in December.

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