As COVID cases rebound, Health Ministry poised to recommend boosters for 5- to 11-year-olds

A child receives a COVID-19 vaccine in Jerusalem, December 16, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
A child receives a COVID-19 vaccine in Jerusalem, December 16, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

The Health Ministry is updating healthcare providers to ready for the rollout of a COVID booster shot campaign for children ages 5-11, according to several media reports.

Only about 18% of children in that age group have received two doses of the COVID vaccine, compared to 55% of those ages 12-15 — among whom only around 15% of them have opted for a third dose.

The news comes a day after the ministry recommended but did not mandate the return of indoor masks, as cases appear to be on the rise.

The ministry says that yesterday 7,330 new COVID cases were confirmed — close to 25% of all those tested — marking the highest one-day caseload since early April. The R reproduction rate stands at 1.51, its highest point since January.

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