Israel Launches coronavirus booster vaccine drive NHK WORLD -JAPAN - 2 hours ago
The Israeli government is now offering a third dose of coronavirus vaccine to people over 60 years old to curb the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant.
The booster shot program began on Sunday. The government says a growing number of vaccinated citizens infected with coronavirus have developed severe symptoms.
Israel has a population of 9.3 million. More than 80 percent of people sged 16 or older have received two vaccine doses.
The number of confirmed daily infections temporarily dropped to below 10.
However, in recent days, the figure has soared above 2,000.
The nation had 212 patients with serious COVID-19 symptoms as of Sunday.
That was an increase of more than 180 from a month earlier.
The British government also plans to launch a booster vaccine drive in September, mainly covering people of age 70 or older.
Japan's Regulatory Reform Minister Kono Taro, who is in charge of the vaccine rollout, has indicated that people may need to receive a third booster shot next year.
