Clalit Research Institute study finds that the vaccine is 80% effective against symptomatic infection for people with heart or chronic kidney diseases, 86% for people with type 2 diabetes, 75% for cerebrovascular disease, and 84% for people suffering from immunodeficiency.
Health Ministry warns against "unnecessary overseas travel" to keep COVID variants at bay. Israel, Bahrain to recognize each other's COVID-19 vaccination programs, allowing the vaccinated to travel without restriction between countries.
At meeting of Health Ministry's epidemiology division, Professor Eli Somech presents model showing some 12,000 Israelis would have lost their lives to the coronavirus pandemic were not for country's vaccination campaign.
With supplies secure through 2022, Israel no longer needs the 10 million doses it agreed to purchase from AstraZeneca, coronavirus chief Professor Nachman Ash says.
Estonia could have been picked as the first country to get the vaccine, but PM Netanyahu and former Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer persuaded Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla that Israel's emergency experience and population diversity made it a better bet.
Pfizer says its vaccine is safe, effective and produces robust antibody responses in 12- to 15-year-olds.
"We will promote, together with the UK, mutual recognition of vaccines to allow tourists and business people from both countries to return to their routines safely," Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi says.
Moderna and Pfizer respectively will each supply Israel with nine million doses, which will be tailored to stand up against COVID variants.
Health Ministry said the requirement still applied for indoor public spaces and urged citizens to keep masks on hand.
As life in Israel continues returning to normal, the situation in many countries remains dire as new cases eclipse 700,000 a day.