Israel began its ‘Give a Shoulder’ COVID-19 vaccination campaign in December 2020. It received much praise for the speed of the program, and reaped the benefits as infection rates plummeted. However, the nation recently experienced a rapidly growing COVID-19 surge. But this may be under control again, if the coronavirus responds to boosters.
Active Cases Peaking Among Unvaccinated People in Israel
The case load was down to a comfortable 200, two months ago. However, by August 15, 2021 it stood at alarming above 50,000. Calls grew louder for older citizens to have a third, booster vaccine shot sooner.
However, the Israeli government was ahead of the game, for it had begun doing so earlier in the month. There may be some evidence of the coronavirus responding to boosters already. On August 16, 2021 the nation awoke to news the number of severe hospital cases had fallen slightly.
However, and this is the point, the rate of serious cases was far higher among unvaccinated Israelis aged 60-plus. That’s because they represented 71.5% of the case load. While vaccinated, and partly vaccinated seniors contributed 9.1% and 19.4% respectively.
Much Hanging on the Coronavirus Response to Boosters
The positive testing rate stood at 6.7% Sunday, the highest level since February 2021. But there were no fatalities overnight. And as of this morning August 15, 2021, 10% of the Israeli population had their third, booster vaccine shots in their arms.
Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, head of public health services believes the academic year will open September 1, ‘unless there is a full lock down’. Meanwhile the Health Ministry is limiting gatherings, and reinforcing social distance rules again.
It seems Israel still has to enforce common sense on its citizens, after all it’s been through. However, this is very much the same pattern as we find elsewhere. Will this be the way history judges our generation? Selfish, fractious, or too swept up in our own lives to care?
Recent
Vaccine Protection Rates What They Mean
No Evidence That Vaccines Affect Fertility
Preview Image: Israel Rolling COVID-19 Cases
