Health officials on Tuesday evening reported the first identified case of the highly contagious Delta sub-variant AY.4.2 in Israel.

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The variant has recently been detected in several European countries.

The infected person is an 11-year-old boy who tested positive on his return from Moldova.

Although they have yet to express serious concern, officials are investigating whether the new strain is more contagious than the delta variant.

In an interview with Kan Radio, Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash said the sub-variant was "probably more infectious than Delta, but not significantly so."

He said, "There will always be variants. We need to follow [them] and if necessary, take special steps."

As for the recent decline in the vaccination rate, Ash warned an insufficient rate could result in a potential fifth wave.

Earlier, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there was no evidence AY.4.2 spreads more easily.

The news comes as Israel appears to be exiting the fourth wave of the coronavirus, with improving daily numbers coming out of the Health Ministry.

According to recent ministry data, the country's infection rate stands at 1.42%. Of the 110,843 people who tested for the virus Tuesday, 1,487 were found to have COVID-19.

There are 17,126 active cases of the virus. There are 353 people in serious condition, 157 of whom are on ventilators. Although 1,293,699 Israelis have recovered from the virus since the start of the break, 8,021 have died.

According to the Health Ministry, 3,865,633 Israelis have received all three eligible doses of the coronavirus vaccine. While 5,704,991 have received at least two doses, and 3,865,633 have received at least one jab.

A first-of-its-kind study from Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv showed a 50-fold increase in coronavirus antibody levels following vaccination with the third, recently approved third dose. The study compared antibody levels among 346 hospital workers aged 60 and over before and after receiving the booster shot.

The study, which appeared in the Lancet Microbe medical journal, is one of the first studies of the third dose's impact on antibody levels to be published in a medical journal.

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Eight months after receiving the second dose of the vaccine, the median level of antibodies among the study's participants was 3.67. It should be noted that when that level drops below 1, an individual is considered not to have any antibodies. However, 10 days after receiving the booster shot, that level had increased to over 150 for 95.7% of participants.

The researchers intend to carry out another small study on a group of 10 people who developed low levels of antibodies and two who did not develop antibodies at all.

The average participant in the study was aged 67. Of the 346 participants, 215 were women.

"The study demonstrates and proves the booster shot's great efficiency at restoring antibody levels in the blood of the vaccinated after it significantly decreased a few months after receiving the second dose," Dr. Esther Saiag, deputy director of Medical Systems Operations and Information and Computer Systems at Sourasky Medical Center, who carried out the study with Dr. David Bomza, said.

"The study's findings are in line with the waning of the fourth wave in Israel, along with the impressive levels of inoculation with the third dose among the general public. Alongside what we are now seeing happening in the country, the research shows what goes on 'behind the scenes' with the booster, meaning the increase in antibody levels."

According to Dr. Saiag, "The study's participants were healthy people and not immune-compromised, and still there were two whose antibody levels remained very low after receiving the booster shot. I intend to ask for clinical information and try to find a common denominator or explanation for these two vaccinated individuals, as well as for another around 10 who did not develop a maximal response."

She added: "We still see there are a few people who get infected after receiving the third vaccine dose. It may be that these people are taking certain medications or they suffer from autoimmune disorders."

While Saiag said that while the research could not predict how long antibody levels would remain high and if a fourth dose would be necessary. She said they were following up with participants to that end.

Data provided by Pfizer ahead of Israel's booster campaign showed a five- to 19-fold increase in antibody levels following inoculation with the third dose.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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Israel's infection rate stands at 1.88%, according to the Health Ministry. Of the 82,387 people who tested for the virus Sunday, 1,457 were found to have COVID-19.

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There are 25,155 active cases of the virus. There are 447 people in serious condition, 186 of whom are on ventilators.

Although 1,273,091 Israelis have recovered from the coronavirus since the outset of the pandemic, 7,920 have died.

On the vaccination front, 3,755,175 Israelis have received all three available doses of the coronavirus vaccine, while 5,684,354 have received two doses. Over 6 million – 6,183,984 – have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

New data released by the Health Ministry over the weekend indicates a third dose of the vaccine is effective in preventing infection not only in those aged 60 and over but among people of all ages.

According to the data, which was collected and analyzed by the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Health Ministry, Israelis aged 16 to 29 were 17 times less likely to contract the virus than those who did not receive the third dose of the vaccine.

Nevertheless, the researchers conceded "it remains unclear why the protection in this age [group] is higher." They noted protection from serious illness among younger Israelis could not be calculated because no members of this age group had fallen seriously ill with COVID-19 after receiving their third dose.

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Director of Public Health Services at the Health Ministry Dr. Sharon Elroi Preiss said: "We saw the morbidity rate began to rise in the group that was vaccinated with the second dose within the framework of the trial. We're doing this alongside lab tests to lower antibody levels, and I hope we can set a standard for antibodies."

On Saturday, the Education Ministry announced a planned quarantine exemption for students that was to be implemented across the country in "green" cities with low morbidity levels on Sunday would instead be rolled out gradually due to a lack of preparedness, according to a Times of Israel report.

Under the new quarantine regulations, students exposed to a confirmed virus carrier would need a negative PCR test result to return to class. Upon returning to the classroom, students would continue to take rapid coronavirus tests every day for a week. They would then need to produce another negative PCR test to be given the all-clear.

The Kan public broadcaster reported that Israel was set to receive some 30 million rapid tests meant for families with schoolchildren aged 12 and under by mid-October. Education Ministry officials have expressed concerns, however, that 30 million tests may not be enough to meet the country's needs.

The move to ease quarantines comes as infections inside Israel continue to trend downward in a sign the Health Ministry has said the fourth wave of the virus is waning.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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The third coronavirus vaccine shot campaign continues to quell the Delta wave in Israel. The Health Ministry reported Sunday that of the 139,167 Israelis it screened for the virus in the past 24 hours, 7,445 (6.21%) tested positive. This compared to last week when the average number of daily cases stood at 10,000.

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The reproduction rate, which relates to the number of people each confirmed carrier infects, has again decreased below 1, and currently stands at 0.9. A reproduction rate of less than 1 means an outbreak is subsiding.

There are 83,809 active cases in the country with 1,191 Israelis hospitalized. Of those, 245 are in critical condition and 195 are on ventilators.

Israel has reported 1,221,713 cases since the outbreak of the pandemic. Thus far, 7,511 Israelis have lost their lives to the virus.

As health officials fear that the latest decision by the Food and Drug Administration panel to only recommend the booster shot to those over 65 or at high risk might discourage Israelis from getting inoculated, the ministry warned that those who are eligible to receive the shot but fail to do so are putting themselves at "unnecessary and completely preventable risk", especially those middle-aged.

It called on all Israelis over the age of 16 to get their booster shots.

"The more of us get vaccinated with the third dose, the sooner we can all get back to a safe return," it said. "Data shows that the third vaccine is effective and safe. The findings of a large study conducted in Israel show that the third shot increases up to ten times the protection against being infected and developing a serious illness, compared to someone who has only been vaccinated with two jabs."

The ministry explained that Israel was several months ahead of the United States in terms of vaccinating its population, and therefore, the FDA ruling was not applicable here.

It emphasized that the experts made their recommendations based on data in the United States, whereas it was working based on the coronavirus situation in Israel.

"Other major countries (such as Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Austria and Italy) decided to go ahead with the third shot similarly to Israel, and did not wait for the FDA's decision on the matter," the ministry said.

"Committee members examined the research data (including from Israel) on the waining of vaccine efficacy over time and the increase in the protection afforded by the third vaccine, and were convinced that the third dose was likely to increase coronavirus protection in these groups. "The vaccine will most likely be approved in the future for other age groups as well in the United States, in stages, as was the case in Israel," the ministry said.

Thus far, 3,040,426 Israelis over the age of 16 have received their third jabs; 6,062,338 have been vaccinated twice, and 5,576,238 got their first jabs.

Meanwhile, health experts told Israel Hayom that the rise in cases over the past three months, commonly referred to as the fourth wave, can probably be attributed to Israel's lack of preparedness for the Delta variant in the wake of the all-but complete eradication of community spread.

Israel was ranked as one of the countries with the lowest coronavirus morbidity among member states of the Organiזation for Economic Cooperation and Development as of June 13, but with restrictions and social-distancing measures being lifted rapidly in the preceding months, conditions were ripe for the spike in infections once the highly contagious Delta variant arrived in Israel in July. "The government was unwilling to heed to the warning of experts...we failed to realize that the vaccine's efficacy levels dropped after several months, and this made infections rampant despite the high vaccination levels among the population," one expert told Israel Hayom. As of mid-September, Israel ranked highest in coronavirus morbidity among OECD members, as well as fifth in mortality.

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Dealing the White House a stinging setback, a government advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan Friday to give Pfizer coronavirus booster shots across the board, and instead endorsed the extra vaccine dose only for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease.

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The twin votes represented a heavy blow to the Biden administration's sweeping effort, announced a month ago, to shore up nearly all Americans' protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.

The nonbinding recommendation – from an influential committee of outside experts who advise the Food and Drug Administration – is not the last word. The FDA will consider the group's advice and make its own decision, probably within days. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to weigh in next week.

In Israel, officials are worried that the recommendation might set back the national third shot campaign that began in July and is now available for every Israeli over the age of 16.

Head of Public Health Services at the Health Ministry Dr. Sharon Elroi Preiss told Israel Hayom that "the decision makes sense for US data," however the situation in Israel was different.

"The pandemic in the United States as it was presented in the discussion was similar to what we [in Israel] had three months ago," she explained. "Although there had been a decrease in the efficacy of the vaccine, there was still a high level of protection from hospitalization, severe illness and death. This is exactly the data we had, and at the time we said that the vaccines were effective."

However, "In Israel now, with tens of thousands of new cases every day, the risk of young people ages 16-39 getting infected and developing life-threatening symptoms is much higher than the risk of vaccination. For example, with the risk of developing myocarditis. The chances of developing it as a result of coronary heart disease are almost six times higher than the chances of developing it from the vaccine itself, so the vaccine is safe and effective. It is crucial to understand that once there is [high] morbidity in the country, it is much more dangerous than the vaccine."

Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash also expressed concern.

"I worry that young Israelis will refrain from getting the booster shot because of the FDA decision," he told Israeli media.

Ash noted that if the move will indeed cause a slowdown in the immunization campaign, the ministry would have no choice but take alternative means to quell the spread of the virus.

"If this occurs in the race between vaccination and morbidity, the latter will prevail. If the infection rate and the number of seriously ill patients continue to increase, we will have to think of other solutions that we have so far avoided, to curb the virus."

In a surprising turn, the advisory panel rejected, 16-2, boosters for almost everyone. Members cited a lack of safety data on extra doses and also raised doubts about the value of mass boosters, rather than ones targeted to specific groups.

Then, in an 18-0 vote, it endorsed extra shots for people 65 and older and those at risk of serious disease. Panel members also agreed that health workers and others who run a high risk of being exposed to the virus on the job should get boosters, too.

That would help salvage part of the White House's campaign but would still be a huge step back from the far-reaching proposal to offer third shots of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to Americans eight months after they get their second dose.

The White House sought to frame the action as progress.

"Today was an important step forward in providing better protection to Americans from COVID-19," said White House spokesman Kevin Munoz. "We stand ready to provide booster shots to eligible Americans once the process concludes at the end of next week."

The CDC has said it is considering boosters for older people, nursing home residents and front-line health care workers, rather than all adults.

The FDA and CDC will most likely decide at some later point whether people who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson shots should get boosters.

During several hours of vigorous debate Friday, members of the panel questioned the value of offering boosters to almost everybody 16 and over.

"I don't think a booster dose is going to significantly contribute to controlling the pandemic," said Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts University. "And I think it's important that the main message we transmit is that we've got to get everyone two doses."

Dr. Amanda Cohn of the CDC said, "At this moment it is clear that the unvaccinated are driving transmission in the United States."

In a statement, Kathrin U. Jansen, Pfizer head of vaccine research and development, said the company continues to believe that boosters will be a "critical tool in the ongoing effort to control the spread of this virus."

Scientists inside and outside the government have been divided recently over the need for boosters and who should get them, and the World Health Organization has strongly objected to rich nations giving a third round of shots when poor countries don't have enough vaccine for their first.

While research suggests immunity levels in those who have been vaccinated wane over time and boosters can reverse that, the Pfizer vaccine is still highly protective against severe illness and death, even amid the delta variant.

The unexpected turn of events could reinforce criticism that the Biden administration got out ahead of the science in its push for boosters. President Joe Biden promised early on that his administration would "follow the science," in the wake of disclosures of political meddling in the Trump administration's coronavirus response.

The FDA panel's overwhelming initial rejection came despite full-throated arguments about the need for boosters from both Pfizer and health officials from Israel.

Representatives for Pfizer argued that it is important to start shoring up immunity before protection begins to erode. A company study of 44,000 people showed effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 was 96% two months after the second dose, but had dropped to 84% by around six months.

Both Pfizer and the Israeli representatives faced pushback from panelists. Several were skeptical about the relevance of Israel's experience to the US Another concern was whether third doses would exacerbate serious side effects, including rare instances of heart inflammation in younger men.

Pfizer pointed to Israeli data from nearly 3 million boosters to suggest side effect rates would be similar to those already reported.

Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said he was supportive of a third dose for adults over 60 or 65, but "I really have trouble" supporting it for anyone down to age 16.

While an extra shot would probably at least temporarily reduce cases with mild or no symptoms, "the question becomes what will be the impact of that on the arc of the pandemic, which may not be all that much," Offit said.

Biden's top health advisers, including the heads of the FDA and CDC, first announced plans for widespread booster shots in mid-August, setting the week of Sept. 20 as an all-but-certain start date. But that was before FDA staff scientists had completed their own assessments of the data.

Earlier this week, two top FDA vaccine reviewers joined a group of international scientists in publishing an editorial rejecting the need for boosters in healthy people. The scientists said studies show the shots are working well.

On Friday, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said the Biden administration announcement was not aimed at pressuring regulators to act but was instead an attempt to be transparent with the public and be prepared in the event that boosters won approval.

"We have always said that this initial plan would be contingent on the FDA and the CDC's independent evaluation," Murthy said.

The Biden plan has also raised major ethical concerns about impoverished parts of the world still clamoring for vaccine. But the administration argued that the plan was not an us-or-them choice, noting that the US is supplying large quantities of vaccine to the rest of the globe.

The US has already approved Pfizer and Moderna boosters for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients.

Some Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by showing up and asking for a shot. And some health systems already are offering extra doses to high-risk people.

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Two days before the 2021-22 school year is due to open on Sept. 1, nearly 88,000 students in Israel's public school system were in quarantine on Monday, 32,528 of whom are active or symptomatic carriers, the Health Ministry reported Monday.

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An additional 4,288 school staff were in quarantine, approximately half of whom are symptomatic.

The positive test rate for teachers and students stood at 8.8%, higher than the national positive test rate of 7.81%, which still comprises the highest rate seen in Israel since Feb. 10.

From midnight Sunday to Monday morning, an additional 52 COVID patients were listed in serious condition, a relatively high number for so early in the day. The virus reproduction rate remained stable at 1.1.

Despite the rise in the number of new serious COVID cases, the total number of serious cases nationwide appears to be stabilizing, with 731 patients in serious condition on Monday morning, including 160 on ventilators.

A total of 1,167 COVID patients were hospitalized as of Monday morning.

Since the pandemic hit Israel in early 2020, 6,880 Israelis have succumbed to the virus, including eight who died on Sunday.

On Sunday, Israel decided to expand its booster shot campaign to all eligible age groups.

Announcing the decision, Health Ministry Director-General Professor Nachman Ash said,"The decline in the effectiveness of the vaccines with time is proving to be significant," he said. "Today we are expanding the possibility of receiving a booster for the entire population, provided that five months have passed since they've received the second dose."

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said there was no doubt that a booster shot was "effective in preventing infection, and it significantly reduces the risk of serious and fatal illnesses."

COVID booster shots will now be offered to everyone age 12 and over.

With the expanded booster shot guidelines, the Health Ministry has decided that starting Oct. 1, only Israelis who have received the booster or who received the second dose of the vaccine fewer than five months ago (meaning after May 1) will be eligible for the ministry's "green pass" vaccination certificate. The ministry plans to cancel the certificates of anyone who does not comply.

In addition, starting Sept. 3, Israelis who receive the booster shot will be exempt from mandatory quarantine upon returned from foreign countries listed "orange" (starting one week after receiving the booster) and will only have to self-quarantine until they receive a negative COVID test.

i24NEWS contributed to this report

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Israelis over the age of 30 will be able to receive a third shot of the coronavirus vaccine by the end of this week, Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai said Saturday.

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On Friday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, 49, kicked off Israel's booster campaign for adults over the age of 40 by getting his third jab.

"We're at the height of the battle now, together we can win; it's within arm's reach, but we're not there yet," Bennett said shortly before receiving the inoculation. "I'm asking you – use this unique privilege you have as Israelis, and go get vaccinated."

Within two days, 65,000 Israelis between the ages of 40 and 49 received their third vaccine shots. Altogether since the launch of the third jab campaign, more than 1,300,000 eligible Israelis have gotten their shots.

Dr. Ran Balicer, a member of the Health Ministry's pandemic response team, said he expected the infection rate to decrease dramatically "once we vaccinate more than 50% of Israelis over the age of 50."

With the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, infections have surged in recent weeks, raising fears of a lockdown over the High Holidays in September.

On Sunday, the Health Ministry reported that of the 99,036 Israelis it screened for the virus in the past 24 hours, 5,312 (5.44%) tested positive.

There were 68,609 active cases in the country. Currently, 1,133 Israelis were hospitalized, 150 in critical condition and 104 on ventilators.

Israel has reported 912,619 cases, including 6,782 deaths, since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.

Meanwhile, the Coronavirus Cabinet was set to convene on Sunday afternoon to discuss the opening of the academic year. While parents, teachers, and Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton insist the school year open as planned, on September 1, many want to postpone it due to the high morbidity rate.

Bennett said on Saturday night that the government's goal was to prevent another national lockdown, and by extension, children needing to study via Zoom.

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"We must learn to live and study alongside the virus," he said.

He also emphasized that the cabinet would be discussing reopening the school year only for pre-schoolers and elementary students. Middle school and high-schoolers will begin their studies as scheduled since they have been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, 1.7 million rapid coronavirus tests arrived at Ben Gurion International Aiport on Friday to be used by schools to administer to students ahead of the new academic year. The goal, according to Bennett, is to reduce the number of children who carry COVID from attending class in person and to quell the spread of the virus in the country.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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Israel's coronavirus infection rate stands at 3.79%, according to Health Ministry data released Friday. Of the 116,040 people tested for the virus Thursday, 3,843 were found to have the disease.

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The reproduction rate is 1.35, meaning that each confirmed carrier infects 1.35 other people.

As of Friday morning, there were 27,525 active cases of the virus in Israel, with 253 patients listed in serious condition, 52 of whom were on ventilators.

While 857,657 Israelis have recovered from the virus, 6,509 have died, 32 succumbing to the virus this week alone. 

Over 5.8 million Israelis have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while over 5.39 million have received both doses.

Since Israel approved a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine for Israelis aged 60 and over, over 349,700 Israelis have received an additional booster shot.

Noting high demand for vaccination, healthcare providers allayed concerns Israel's vaccine supply was running low.

In a statement, Clalit Healthcare Services, Israel's largest healthcare provider noted "there may be discrepancies of an hour to two hours in inventory replenishment."

"Not only do we not have a lack of vaccines, but in fact we are increasing the vaccinate rate and increasing the number of sites where people can get vaccinated every day," the Meuhedet healthcare provider said. It said 61% of clients had either already been vaccinated or made an appointment to get vaccinated soon.

In addition, Meuhedet noted it was "working around the clock to meet the goal set out for us by the prime minister to vaccinate everyone aged 60 and over with a third dose."

Beginning Sunday, the Magen David Adom emergency services will operate 120 rapid coronavirus testing stations across the country for the use of unvaccinated Israelis and those who have recovered from the virus. Anyone interested in a rapid test will need to schedule an appointment in advance. The rapid testing stations are designed to provide results within 15 minutes. The test results will then appear on the individual's Green Pass phone application to allow entry into hotels, restaurants, and event venues, as well as send the information to healthcare providers and the Health Ministry. Should an individual test positive, they will need to take a standard PCR coronavirus test and enter quarantine.

In a statement, Dr. Rafael Strugo, Magen David Adom's medical director, emphasized the rapid testing stations were not aimed at diagnosing those experiencing coronavirus symptoms but rather at allowing unvaccinated Israelis to attend public events in accordance with the Green Pass.

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Hours after a team of experts advising the government on the coronavirus crisis voted to approve a third dose of the COVID vaccine for adults, Health Ministry Director-General Professor Nachman Ash announced on Thursday that Israelis aged 60 and up would get the booster shot.

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Ash instructed healthcare providers to start administering the shots to double-vaccinated Israelis who meet the age criteria starting on Sunday. Israelis had been receiving only two jabs, but in the wake of reports that theeffect of the vaccine appeared to have waned over time officials have recently started administering a third dose to immunocompromised patients, and now with the latest decision, virtually all seniors will be eligible.

As for other age groups, a decision could be based on what regulators in the US would determine.

Another issue that remains in the air is whether or not the government should actively encourage the public to seek a booster shot, or simply allow a third dose of the vaccine for anyone who wants it.

Data collected from at-risk groups in Israel and other countries who have received a third dose indicates that a booster shot does not cause unusual side effects, while having been found to increase the amount of antibodies in recipients' bodies to five to 10 times as many as the recipients had prior to the booster shot.

A few studies have indicated that a combination of different forms of the vaccine provides the best results, so the Health Ministry is considering using Moderna for Israelis seeking a third vaccine dose. Israel used Pfizer vaccines exclusively in its nationwide vaccination campaign.

As the government debates when and how to administer a third vaccine dose, a number of medical centers nationwide re-opened their COVID units on Wednesday in light of a spike in the number of serious COVID-19 cases.

Most COVID units were shuttered following the vaccination campaign, which initially led to a drop in serious cases. But the spread of the delta variant has since been a game-changer, and the number of severe cases in Israel has more than doubled in the past week.

On Tuesday, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem published a study indicating that the Pfizer vaccine was no more than 80% effective in preventing serious illness.

The study, which was presented to the government, also predicted that the number of critically ill patients could reach 400 in less than three weeks if no action was taken to curb the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry reported 2,165 new confirmed cases on Thursday morning, which comprise a 2.35% positive rate of the 102,524 tests processed in a 24-hour period. The virus reproduction rate stood at 1.33.

As of Thursday morning, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients stood at 275, with 159 listed in serious condition, 33 listed in critical condition, and 26 were on ventilators.

In total, there were 15,292 active or symptomatic patients nationwide.

Since the pandemic reached Israel in early 2020, 6,463 Israelis have died of the virus.

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i24NEWS contributed to this report

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Israel's coronavirus infection rate stands at 2.38%, according to Health Ministry data released Wednesday.

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Of the 105,918 people who tested for the virus Tuesday, 2,260 were found to be positive. The reproduction rate is 1.33.

With 14,365 active cases in the country, 153 people are in serious condition. Of those in serious condition, 28 are on ventilators.

Although 844,943 Israelis have so far recovered from the virus, 6,460 have died.

Eight localities have been designated "red" according to the government's traffic-light program for ranking cities according to infection rates. Fifty-four localities are "orange," while 131 are "yellow."

Addressing a conference on safety and quality of care in the health system, Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash said: "At this time, we are weighing giving a booster shoot – a third vaccine dose. We will make a responsible decision based on the analysis of morbidity data and infections among the vaccinated. We are analyzing this data, again and again, to conclude as to whether there is a decrease in the efficacy of the vaccine over time," he said.

Ash noted that "because we were the first in the world to vaccinate, we have no one to learn from. This despite the fact we are in touch with the Brits and the CDC [US Centers for Disease Control], but they vaccinated more extensively later on."

He emphasized: "We must rely on our data. Time is not on our side. If there is a way to protect the population with a booster shot, this must be done, and the decision is a complicated one."

Earlier this month, the Health Ministry gave a green light for health providers to give booster shots to those who are immunocompromised as early as four weeks after their second dose.

The ministry said that there was a growing body of evidence that such groups do not develop enough antibodies after only two doses.

According to the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate's national coronavirus information center, the continued increase in morbidity levels could overwhelm hospitals in the coming weeks.

"The reproduction rate remains high and reflects a doubling of the number of confirmed cases and patients among them every seven to 10 days," the center said.

In a meeting with hospital directors Tuesday, Ash said his assessment was morbidity levels would continue to climb. According to a scenario presented by Ash, Israel would reach 800 seriously ill patients and a reproduction rate of 1.35 in September. In a worst-case scenario, Israel could see 1,800 people in serious condition with the coronavirus.

Commenting on the consistent increase of seriously ill patients in recent weeks, Ash said: "This is the fourth wave. That is clear."

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