Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel is preparing for another six-month vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, which will also involve children, after negotiating new deals with Pfizer and Moderna to buy millions more doses.
“Prepare your shoulders … and kids,” he said at a news conference, predicting that COVID-19 vaccines would be approved for use in children by then.
He also warned of possible new coronavirus variants or even “a new virus,” saying there would be no more resurgence of COVID-19 if there were no such “surprises.”
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Netanyahu’s prediction appeared to be based on comments from Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, who said last week that he believes a third dose of the company’s vaccine will be needed “anywhere from 6-12 months” after getting the first two. doses, and then annually. Pfizer has said the vaccine it developed with BioNTech from Germany remains 91% effective after 6 months.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press conference at his Jerusalem office on April 20, 2021. (Kobi Gideon / GPO)
The Prime Minister’s comments came a day after Israel signed new supply agreements with Pfizer and Moderna. The exact number of doses from each company remains classified, but Hebrew media reports said Israel agreed to pay for a total of 18 million photos of the two US companies, with the option to purchase millions more after they have been used.
Vials containing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, Dec 20, 2020. (AP Photo / Ariel Schalit)
Under the deal, the doses to be provided will be adjusted according to the different variants of the virus as needed.
Israel has yet to provide a precise timeline as to when vaccines for children will be approved. Earlier this month, Pfizer requested permission to use its COVID-19 vaccine on 12 to 15 year olds in the United States.
Their request to the Food and Drug Administration in the US came after phase 3 clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine in the age group were 100 percent effective in warding off the disease, according to the companies.
The Israeli Pediatric Associated has called on parents and family doctors to vaccinate their children if the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for those children. Currently, the vaccine is licensed for emergency use in individuals 16 years of age and older.
Nearly 5 million Israelis, more than half of the total population, have received both doses of the vaccine.
