New: Booster will be given after 3 months • The list of red countries will be reduced

December 27, 2021   

After a consistent increase in morbidity data in Israel and around the world as a result of the spread of Omicron, the Ministry of Health announced today (Monday), following the recommendation of the pandemic response team, that it has been decided to advance the administration of the third dose of the coronavirus vaccine - for those who are interested in it. The announcement states that it is now recommended to give the 'booster' at least three months after the second dose - instead of five months as it was until now. The step comes against the backdrop of the decline in the level of immunity against coronavirus after a certain period of time. The Ministry of Health also stated that even those who are defined as recovering and wish to receive a third dose of the vaccine will be able to do so - at least three months after the previous dose.

In addition, the ministry is canceling the directive to extend the recovery period for those infected with Omicron to 14 days. In light of this, those recovering from the new strain will be able to leave isolation after 10 days, as was the practice until now, provided they are symptom-free during the last three days of isolation.

At the end of the discussion on red countries with the Ministry of Health and aviation authorities, it appears that these countries will remain red: The United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, England, Switzerland, Mexico, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Canada are red. All others will be allowed to fly. A corona ward was opened today at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, where seven corona patients are concentrated. The ward was reopened after being closed for two months, due to an increase in the number of corona patients hospitalized in recent weeks. As stated, seven patients are hospitalized in the ward, including one in critical condition and three in serious condition. The patients' ages range from 40 to 88.