In Israel everything is open, even in the clubs there is still partying until late into the night. This open society is possible, among other things, because Israel already started using booster shots this summer. Nevertheless, the country is now taking extra measures, because the infection figures are rising.
For the first time since October, there were more than 1000 infections on Sunday, the r-number is now 1.2. With a population of 9 million, that is still low if you compare the figures with those of the Netherlands. Yet the government intervenes. There is no such thing as a lockdown.
There are, however, other limitations. Tourists are no longer welcome. There is also a mandatory quarantine for travelers from countries that are on the ‘red list’. There are now 58 countries on it, including the US and Canada as of today. The Netherlands is not yet on that list.
Fourth shot
The Israeli policy, which has already boosted millions of people and also children Being able to get a shot has kept the country open until now. That will remain the case for the time being, although the government is examining whether more measures are needed. Prime Minister Bennett calls on his residents to take a booster vaccine. A fourth shot is also part of the corona strategy.
It seems certain that the fourth shot will come. A prominent corona official indicated that this will happen “very likely”, the only question is when. A trial is already underway among 150 healthcare workers to see what the effects are of a fourth injection. That trial takes place in the hospital of the well-known Israeli virologist Eyal Leshem.
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Leshem reacts to news hour also on the suggestion of RIVM leader Jaap van Dissel that Israel started boosting too early. He says they certainly don’t regret the summer booster start. “You have the choice between a good helmet now, or a very good helmet in three months. And you know that you will have a motorcycle accident in a week. Then you better get that slightly lesser helmet now.”
The possible decreasing effect of the boosters is not the only reason cited in Israel for the increasing numbers. The prime minister’s call to take a booster is not for nothing. Four million residents have already received a shot, but about 1 million Israelis do not yet have a booster. Another reason the numbers may be rising is the number of children being vaccinated. Many parents are hesitant to vaccinate their children between the ages of 5 and 11. Omikron is also mentioned as a possible reason, although the variant has been rarely encountered.
Dennis Mook-Kanamori, epidemiologist at the LUMC and general practitioner, says in news hour that the rising figures in Israel can in any case not be directly linked to a reduced functioning of the boosters. He thinks there could be many reasons for the numbers to rise ‘a little bit’ and cites another possible cause. “It’s winter there too. People are indoors more.”
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