|
 A fourth wave of infections that hit Israel in June began subsiding
in September. But over the past two weeks the "R", or reproduction
rate of the virus, that had remained below one for two months began
climbing and has now crossed that threshold, indicating the virus
could again be spreading exponentially.
Daily cases have also crept up over the past few days, with half the
confirmed infections presently among children age 11 and younger.
The children's vaccine drive kicked off on Monday in a Tel Aviv
square, where a small number of parents quietly lined up with their
children to get shots. The campaign will go nationwide on Tuesday.
"The kids go to school, they (mix) with (other) kids, and they are
doing a lot of social activities. We are very excited (to) vaccinate
them and get (back) to normal life," said Katy Bai Shalom, whose son
and daughter were vaccinated Monday.
Receiving their shots in front of television cameras, some of the
children smiled and laughed, while others teared up and held on to
their parents.
Israel's 9.4 million population is relatively young, with around 1.2
million children in the 5-to-11 age group. By November, that group
comprised more than a third of new cases, according to health
ministry data. Scientists and officials have been doubtful the
country can reach "herd immunity" unless children are vaccinated.
Policy makers also say that the vaccination of younger children is
meant first and foremost to protect their individual health and not
just to stop the transmission of the virus.
In the past week they have stressed that although COVID-19 is rarely
severe among young children and many show no symptoms at all, it can
carry risks in the longer term.
[to top of second column] |
 Israel's health ministry
estimates that one in 3,500 children infected
with the coronavirus will later develop
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
(MIS-C) in which parts of the body become
inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys,
brain, skin and gastrointestinal organs. Most
children who suffer from the condition require
intensive care treatment and 1-2% die.
Officials have also noted the risk of lingering
symptoms, such as sleep disruption, muscle pain, loss of smell and
taste, headaches and a cough, commonly known as "long Covid".
A survey by the health ministry of more than 13,000 children showed
that around 11% had suffered lingering symptoms, with about 1.8% to
4.6%, depending on their age, continuing to experience symptoms six
months after becoming ill.
A poll by Israeli healthcare provider Maccabi found that 41% of
parents to children age 5 to 11 were positive they will vaccinate
their children, while 21% were still undecided and 38% will not
vaccinate their children.
Israel has recorded 1.3 million total confirmed cases and more than
8,000 dead since the start of the pandemic.
Around 57% of Israel's population is fully vaccinated, according to
the health ministry, which means they have either received a third
shot or it has not yet been five months since they received their
second.
(Additional reporting by Rami Amichay in Tel Aviv; Editing by Angus
MacSwan and Howard Goller)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content |
