A senior health official on Monday bemoaned the low coronavirus vaccination rates among Israeli children, urging the government to set up vaccination centers intended for young kids "everywhere".
Israel began vaccinating children ages 5-11 three weeks ago after overwhelming support by the Health Ministry’s professionals as worrying signs of a fifth coronavirus infection wave began to appear with the arrival of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
2 View gallery
A child receives her coronavirus vaccine at a clinic in the West Bank settlement of Efrat
(Photo: Yoav Dudkevich)
"We need to vaccinate children everywhere, including in the school yard. We do the same with other vaccines. It is a pity that this is the state of affairs when we all talk about the importance of the vaccine and the need to reach as many children as possible," Prof. Hezi Levi, director of Ashkelon's Barzilai Medical Center and former Health Ministry director-general, told Ynet.
"I think we should all mobilize for the vaccination campaign and explain the need for it. It it appropriate for things to be the same in the education system, and all means be invested in order to vaccinate the children now."
Levi added that even though data on the new strain is worrying, testimonies show that the booster is still effective in preventing serious illness. "You cannot come out and say, 'We are not worried.' Yes, we're troubled that morbidity is rising and will rise. Yes, we are worried."
On the question of whether another lockdown is on the horizon, he said that it is too early to call. "I don't think we should talk about a lockdown," Levi said. "We need to talk about measured steps, based on the facts that are examined on a daily basis.
"First of all, we need to ensure Omicron does not enter the country. Second, restrictions such as masks and quarantines need to be enforced properly and perhaps even limits on gatherings. Thirdly, and most importantly, is vaccines."
2 View gallery
Prof. Hezi Levi, director of Ashkelon's Barzilai Medical Center and former Health Ministry director-general
(Photo: Barel Efraim)
He said that a lockdown has many economic repercussions, and now that the vaccines are available, it is no longer the necessary tool. "We need to act in a selective and rational manner and not go into a general lockdown," he said.
Earlier on Monday, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz reiterated Levi's sentiments, saying a lockdown is "not on the table," adding the government is hoping to avoid another lockdown "at all costs".
He also said that his ministry was "disappointed" by the slow rate of vaccination among children in the 5-11 age group.