Netanyahu said to speak several times with Pfizer, Moderna CEOs behind Bennett’s back

Ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing to push to have third coronavirus vaccine doses administered to Israelis, and spoke several times in recent days with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and Moderna Stéphane Bancel behind the back of his prime ministerial successor Naftali Bennett, according to the Ynet news site.

The report says during the conversations, Netanyahu was updated about vaccine supply and the outbreak of the delta variant, and concluded that Israel needs million more doses and to immediately begin administering third shots to adults.

“This is the only way to protect the population, to save lives and to keep the economy open in light of the outbreak of the Indian variant,” associates of Netanyahu are quoted as claiming.

Pfizer has been seeking FDA authorization for a third shot though US officials have said boosters aren’t needed yet.