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22 December: Israel plans to administer a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine in all adults 60 years and above and in health workers, according to media sources. The proposal was recommended by an expert panel from the Health Ministry. However, final approval is pending from senior Health Ministry officials.

24 November: The Ministry of Health has announced that vaccination for 5-11 year olds has commenced. Booster doses for 12-15 year olds was also approved from 5 months after completing the inital vaccination. 

15 November: The Advisory Committee on Epidemic Control convened on 10 November to discuss vaccinations for children aged five to 11 years. The decision has been made that vaccinations for children are recommended and this has been passed to the Ministry of Health for review. The Ministry of Health will release further information shortly.

3 October: People who finished their primary vaccine series more than 6 months ago must have a booster to be counted as vaccinated under the Green Pass system. Unless someone has evidence of a COVID-19 infection within the past six months, their vaccination will not qualify them for a Green Pass if it is more than six months old. This applies to people who had the Pfizer vaccine only.

15 September: Anyone who completed their two-dose series five moths ago or longer is now eligible for a booster dose.

13 August: Anyone over 50 years old is now eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as well as healthcare workers, people at high risk for serious illness with coronavirus disease, inmates and wardens. People who had Pfizer vaccine are being given a third dose of the same vaccine.

30 July: The Prime Minister has announced a third vaccine dose will be given to the elderly population. People who are over 60 years of age who were vaccinated more than 5 months earlier will be eligible. This follows on from third doses being given to people who are immunocompromised earlier in July.

28 July: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced (in Hebrew) that some children aged 5 to 11 at high-risk may be vaccinated against COVID-19. Children suffering from underlying health conditions may be eligible for the vaccine on a case by case basis. The list of conditions published by the MOH and more information can be accessed here. MOH is advising that children being treated with immunosuppressants should consult their doctors on whether they should get the vaccine. Based on the clinical trial data obtained from Pfizer regarding the vaccine use in 12 to 15 year old people, health authorities have decided to decrease the dosage to 10 micrograms for the 5 to 11 age group and to implement close monitoring after vaccination.

Media reports that the Director-General of the Health Ministry is making a final decision on whether to give the older population a third vaccine dose. An expert panel has recommended the booster dose, although the lower age limit of 60 or 70 years has not been clarified.

12 July: The Ministry of Health clarified there is currently no resolution or recommendation for a third dose of vaccine at this time. However, it is promoting the use of an additional dose to those who are immunosuppressed.

7 July: The Ministry of Health for Israel has issued a press release reporting that the Pfizer vaccine is less effective in preventing infection with the COVID-19 Delta variant than other strains of SARS-CoV-2. It states that "nevertheless, the vaccine remains 93% effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalisation." Its efficacy in preventing symptomatic infections, however, was under 65 percent per the report. Other studies of the vaccine and the Delta variant have shown differing results, with a study in the UK showing it is nearly 90 percent effective in preventing symptomatic Delta infection and a study in Scotland showing it was nearly 80 percent effective against infections with Delta.

20 May: Validity of the Green Pass for those vaccinated against COVID-19 or who have recovered from coronavirus has been extended through 2021. Authorities approves lifting of all restrictions on the vaccinated and recovered people at stadiums and in public transportation.

According to a new research study from Israel, Pfizer vaccines was found to be 96.7 percent effective at protecting against COVID-related death, and 97.5 percent effective against serious illness. According to Israeli health official, it is unclear whether the COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against the Indian variant. The British variant is the most dominant cause for infections in Israel. An Israeli variant has also been detected. This variant is uncommon, has no clinical or epidemiological significance and is not linked with widespread infection, severe illness or impact on the vaccine's effectiveness.

Vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter Israel starting on May 23. In the first phase, only individuals traveling in groups will be able to enter the country, as they are considered easier to monitor. The authorities will decide whether to also include regular visitors based on the results of the pilot with groups.

6 May: A steep decline in COVID-19 deaths observed which is attributed to the vaccine coverage. If the infection rate continues to remain stable, Israel might begin to accept individual travelers as well apart from group travelers from 23 May. Vaccinated tourists will be eligible to receive the equivalent of an Israeli green passport, allowing them access to hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Tourists inoculated with Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccines will receive a “Green Pass” after an authorized laboratory confirms the presence of antibodies in their blood. Authorities are contemplating on a solution for tourists who received other vaccines. As of 30 April, Israelis are no longer allowed to visit Ukraine, Ethiopia, Brazil, South Africa, India, Mexico or Turkey (unless under special conditions) due to high infection rates in these countries.

Pfizer vaccine might be effective against the COVID-19 variant first found in India. No other details available yet. About one in 100,000 people who received the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in Israel suffered from myocarditis. Causation not established and more research is required. Vaccination might increase the risk of developing Herpes zoster in people with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Further studies needed to establish cause and effect.

Phase II trial of BriLife vaccine paused for two months to allow scientists to include a higher dose of vaccine in the study.

Further doses from Pfizer to be procured to provide adequate coverage till 2022. Amidst adequate vaccine stock with supplies secure through 2022, Israel no longer requires the 10 million doses it agreed to purchase from AstraZeneca. A second round of vaccination is being planned to take place in six months. It is expected children will be included in this round.

21 April: Approximately 57.6% (5.36 million) of the population have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 53.6% (4.98 million) are fully vaccinated with two doses. More than 11 million doses have been administered in Israel till mid-April. The British variant is the most dominant cause for infections in Israel. An Israeli variant has also been detected. This variant is uncommon, has no clinical or epidemiological significance and is not linked with widespread infection, severe illness or impact on the vaccine's effectiveness.

The minimum required vaccination ratio for full classroom learning activities for the 11th and 12th grades was lowered from 90% to 65%. Vaccination centre in Tel Aviv which was established in partnership with Ichilov Medical Center has closed down on 12 April. Post the centre closure, vaccination campaign in Tel Aviv will continue via mobile vaccination units.

Vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter Israel starting on 23 May. In the first phase, only individuals traveling in groups will be able to enter the country, as they are considered easier to monitor. The authorities will decide whether to also include regular visitors based on the results of the pilot with groups.

The Israel Pediatric Society and the Health Ministry’s Infectious Diseases Unit supports the vaccination against COVID-19 of children between the ages of 12 and 15 years with Pfizer. Some 100 medical professionals have expressed opposition to vaccinating children with the coronavirus vaccine.

Israel has recently procured an estimated 18 million further doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations. It is believed that this is enough to provide coverage to fully vaccinate (2 doses) all citizens, including children.

6 April: Approximately 56% (5.2 million) of the population having received at least one dose of vaccine, and 51% (4.7 million) having received both doses. About 10 million doses have been administered in Israel so far. Authorities have also shared guidelines regarding vaccination of recovered patients. 75 percent of homebound individuals have been vaccinated in the country with help from ambulance services. The remaining will be vaccinated through house visits by HMO nurses. Government has planned to provide vaccination for all Israeli emissaries worldwide. For the emissaries in USA, an outline is being prepared to ship Pfizer vaccines to the Israeli consulate in New York.

In order to obtain a vaccination in Israel a person must have a National Insurance Institute account and an active health fund number. Returning residents after five years abroad who are recognised as such by the Ministry of the Interior, can be vaccinated when they have received approval that the center of their lives is now in Israel. Israelis who have been abroad for less than five years, must re-register with the National Insurance Institute, and show that the center of their life is now back in Israel, before they can be vaccinated.

Infection trends have shown that pregnant women are at great risk of developing a severe illness with COVID-19. Based on data accumulated, Israeli Ministry of Health and the Israel Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology have determined that there is no contradiction to vaccinate pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy. For further information and queries, authorities have opened a hotline *5400, extension 9; open Sunday to Thursday from 4 pm to 9 pm and Friday from 8 am to 1 pm.

There is a possibility of shortage of vaccine supply in Israel unless further 36 million doses of Pfizer/BioNTech are procured. A new coronavirus strain has been identified in Israel and the Pfizer vaccine appears to be effective against it.

Guidelines for fourth phase of reopening effective from 19 March have been shared by the authorities. These regulations will remain in place till 3 April. Authorities have shared reopening plan for schools for the fourth phase. Shall stay effective from 21 March to 10 April.

18 March: As of 7 March, Israel has opened up the majority of its economy; cafes, bars & restaurants have been fully opened. social distancing restrictions have been eased to now allow for gatherings of 20 people indoors & 50 people outdoors. Entry to Green Pass activities allowed for vaccinated, recovering and people with negative test from a rapid test conducted on the spot. To note, normal negative PCR test not accepted. Rapid testing system will be implemented from 21 March.

Schools have been allowed to reopen in all green, yellow and orange-designated localities from 11 March. Relaxations regarding youth movements and school trips effective from 16 March.

International travel has begun to resume. Inbound travel allowed from all destinations from 16 March. Vaccinated tourists might be able to enter Israel beginning as early as mid-April.

As of 16 March 8, over 5.1 million have received the first dose of the vaccination, and over 4.2 million have received both doses. Vaccinations are being administered to people who have recovered from COVID-19 up to 3 months ago. Also, around 100,000 Israelis, representing around 2% of the vaccinated population, have only received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine but did not show up for the second dose.

Israel has initiated vaccine trials for children less than 16 years. About 600 children between the ages of 12 and 16 in at-risk groups against the coronavirus were vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and no significant side effects were observed.

For more details on lockdown measures and green pass activities, see the Ministry of Health website.

14 March: Media sources are reporting that Israel's Ministry of Health plans to extend its vaccination campaign to include 12 to 15 year olds as soon as Pfizer-BioNTech releases preliminary results of its safety studies on children.

1 March: Media sources are reporting that Palestinians with Israeli work permit will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. Around 130,000 people working in Israel and the West Bank settlements will be given the Moderna vaccine in the coming days.

In Israel, vaccination campaigns with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine began on 20 December, with healthcare workers, elderly and high risks people amongst the first to be vaccinated. As of 23 January 2021, health authorities expanded the vaccination campaign to include people aged 40 years and older as well as teenagers aged 16 to 18.