Prof. Ash: Israel Negotiating for 18M More Vaccine Doses

Coronavirus commissioner Professor Nachman Ash said on Monday that there has been “significant progress” in negotiations with both Pfizer and Moderna regarding the procurement of another 18 million vaccines for the rest of Israel’s residents.

The vaccines would be purchased, among other things, to ensure that Israelis are protected against new variants of coronavirus as well as the earlier strains.

“We are waiting for the FDA’s approval,” Prof. Ash told 103 FM Radio, when asked about the possibility that Israel would vaccinate children.

“We have begun negotiations. I estimate that I will support it. I estimate that the data is positive and shows that the vaccine is safe and effective for children, and it is therefore desirable to vaccinate them.”

Last week, Pfizer and its partner BioNTech sought approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expand the emergency use of their COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 12 to 15.

However, Israel has not yet met to discuss a new budget for the vaccines’ purchase, and has not yet paid for the last 1.5 million vaccines it purchased from Pfizer.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said Monday morning that on Sunday only 141 people were diagnosed with COVID, at a positivity test rate of 0.4%.

193 people are hospitalized in serious condition, including 114 on respirators.

The national infection rate stands at 0.77.