Israel opens COVID-19 vaccines to teens aged 12-16
Israeli teens aged 12-16 can get vaccinated against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) beginning on Sunday, the latest phase of the country’s battle against the pandemic.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on the production line. Credit: Mike Mareen/Shutterstock
The Ministry of Health’s team for the treatment of epidemics and the monitoring committee on vaccines, headed by the Director-General Prof. Hezi Levy reviewed multidisciplinary work that discussed possible complications with the vaccine, including myocarditis.
They determined that the risks from contracting Corona and the subsequent complications are higher than the risk of receiving the vaccine. The risk of myocarditis, which was observed in 16-19-year-olds who received the vaccine was also low, and in most cases passed without complication.
However, in view of the fact that COVID-19 numbers are currently very low in Israel, it was decided to recommend the vaccination of risk groups, including adolescents with a medical risk, adolescents living with family members at risk, and families expected to fly abroad.
Beyond the risk groups, it will be possible to vaccinate anyone who is interested.
Israel has lifted almost all the COVID-19 restrictions.
The almost miraculous improvement in Israel’s situation vis-à-vis the Coronavirus is attributed to its success to rapidly vaccinate its population.
Some 85% of Israelis over the age of 16 have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Over 5,455,00 Israeli citizens have received the first vaccine, some 58% of the entire population, and more than 5,137,000, about 55% have received the second shot.
The Ministry of Health updated Sunday that it documented 30 new COVID-19 cases over the past day.
Of the 18,672 tests done over the past day, 0.2% returned positive.
37 of the patients hospitalized with Corona are in serious condition, 25 of them are on life support. The numbers have been steadily dropping. Most Corona wards in Israeli hospitals have been closed.
6,418 Israelis have died of the virus.
