Israel allows COVID vaccine for children under five

JERUSALEM – The Israeli Health Ministry on Wednesday gave the green light for the vaccination of children between the ages of 6 months to five years against COVID-19.

The Health Ministry said the vaccine was particularly recommended for those who were at high risk due to a chronic illness or medical treatment that weaken their immune system.

Israel is seeing a rise in coronavirus cases in recent weeks but has refrained from reimposing any curbs on large gatherings or mandating face masks that were scrapped in April after its largest wave of infections thus far had peaked in January.