Israel widens eligibility for third Covid-19 vaccine dose to over 50s

Israel has widened the eligibility criteria for a third shot of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine in order to help contain the fourth wave of the pandemic in the country.

According to Ministry of Health anyone 50 years of age or older is eligible for a so-called booster shot, together with certain potentially high-risk people such as healthcare workers.

In late July it had already approved booster shots for those aged over 60.

The decision follows a ten-field increase in the number of serious infections since 13 July to reach 462, with 75 of those patients requiring ventilator support.

Over 90% of severe cases in Israel involved people age 50 or older.