This archive report was first published on 24 December 2021.
As the Omicron variant continues to spread globally, Israel has taken swift action to protect its citizens. In a move to combat the emerging threat, the Israeli government has begun compiling a red list of countries with high infection rates, including the United States and Canada, to which Israelis may not travel without special permission.
Israel's early decision to administer a third COVID-19 vaccine dose in late July has been credited with successfully containing the Delta wave, allowing the country to keep schools and the economy open. However, the emergence of Omicron threatens to reverse these gains and send the country back into a kind of lockdown.
Dr. Tal Brosh, a member of the advisory panel, emphasized the need for swift action, stating, 'We can sit in our academic armchairs and wait for research from abroad, but that's a kind of privilege we don't feel we have.'
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has welcomed the panel's recommendation of a fourth vaccine dose, saying, 'The citizens of Israel were the first in the world to receive a third dose, and we are continuing to lead with the fourth.'
Israel's COVID-19 Response ¶
Israel's swift response to the Omicron variant has included tightening border controls and recommending a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose. However, some experts have expressed doubts about the necessity of the additional shot.
