Israel Offers COVID Booster Shots to Everyone Over 12 

JERUSALEM - Israel has expanded its COVID booster vaccination campaign to all Israelis over age 12, becoming the first country in the world to offer the third shot widely. Israeli officials said vaccine efficacy wanes sharply after six months and the booster shot is proven to be effective.

Every Israeli over age 12 who received their second dose of the vaccine at least five months ago is now eligible for a third booster shot. Israel began giving the booster shots to anyone over 60 earlier this month and has now expanded the campaign, making it the first country in the world to do so.  Professor Cyril Cohen, a member of the advisory committee for clinical trials at the Israeli Ministry of Health, told Israel Radio he is convinced the booster is necessary.  "We have data that shows there is a real reduction in the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing infections. I’m not talking about severe cases of infections, starting around 5 – 6 months after the vaccination and therefore the Israeli government has decided to allow whoever wants to get a third dose," he said.