According to BBC, a government panel of experts in Israel has recommended a fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine for all people aged over 60 and healthcare workers.
The move was welcomed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who said it would help the country get through a potential wave of the Omicron variant.
“This is wonderful news that will assist us in getting through the Omicron wave that is engulfing the world,” Mr Bennett said.
“The citizens of Israel were the first in the world to receive the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and we are continuing to pioneer with the fourth dose as well,” the prime minister added.
The Israeli health ministry has so far confirmed 341 cases of Omicron.
The overall Covid-19 infection rate is also back on the rise, with 903 new cases recorded on Tuesday.
Four deaths have also been reported in the past seven days, including that of a 68-year-old man who doctors suspected was infected with Omicron. The health ministry said on Wednesday that he actually had the Delta variant.
On Tuesday night, Israel’s Pandemic Expert Committee recommended a fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for over-60s, medics, and those with compromised immunity, at least four months after their third jab.
The move is set to receive final approval by the health ministry in the coming days.
