More Pfizer Shots on the Way, PMO Denies Shortfall

As Israel rolls out its booster vaccination drive for those 60 and older, a fresh shipment of hundreds of thousands of Pfizer doses is expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days, according to Channel 12 on Thursday evening.

The news comes amid reports of a possible shortfall in vaccine supply.

Later on, the Prime Minister’s Office put out a statement denying any shortfall and asserting that new shipments are already arriving:

“Israel has a sufficient stock of vaccines both at the present and for future needs. Several shipments have arrived in recent days; this will continue.

“There is no concern about a shortage of vaccines. There are enough vaccines for everyone.

“For reasons of confidentiality, the exact number of vaccines is not being published,” it said.

An official in the coronavirus cabinet, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Kan public broadcaster that the government will wait and see what the effects of the third vaccine booster shot are before deciding on a nationwide lockdown. Officials have been warning for days that if current fourth covid wave is not contained, a lockdown may be imposed during the Chagim.

“The chances of a lockdown in August are slim,” the official said. “The assessment is that they’ll wait two weeks to see if the third shot helps bring down serious cases among the over 60s and if we see a wave of vaccinations among teenagers. If that doesn’t happen, the question is not if there will be a lockdown, but when.”

Meanwhile, the mayor of Hadera announced a plan to ban unvaccinated non-residents from entering the city, unless they have a negative COVID test, reported The Times of Israel.

He directed enforcement of the rule at public venues, including the coastal city’s beaches.