Most COVID Vaccinated Country Israel Becomes COVID Hotspot
Posted on 09/02/2021
As a small country with large walls, Israel has been a test-case for having a nearly fully-vaccinated COVID adult population and for its use of vaccine passes. Israel is forcing its citizens to get COVID-19 booster shots. Those who do not get the third shot would face restrictions on traveling, going to bars, dining out, and other activities. Israeli citizens would need to get a third dose of the Pfizer -BioNTech vaccine within six months of their second dose, or lose the so-called green pass. The green pass gives Israel’s citizens more freedoms to travel around. Israel has already delivered more than 1.9 million boosters, and people aged 12 and over are now eligible.
Now Israel is becoming a COVID-19 hotspot. Coronavirus cases have soared in the country despite their fast-acting vaccine rollout. Israel tabulated 1,892 cases per million people on September 1, 2021, about 0.2% of its population in a single day. Israel’s approach could impact other highly-vaccinated countries. Waning immunity from the COVID shots are becoming a major concern for policymakers and government health officials. Typically vaccines that combat Polio and others offers nearly life-long protection vs. mRNA coronavirus treatments, which offer some protection. The COVID shots have offered some protection against severe hospitalizations. However, COVID fatalities in Israel have risen sharply in August. Israel has been offering booster jabs to people over the age of 60 since July 2021.
Sweden will not allow entry of Israelis into the country from September 6 due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the country. Sweden followed Portugal’s move to ban Israelis from entering earlier. Only Israelis with urgent needs and special permission will be allowed to enter Sweden.
Africa
Despite an increase of COVID deaths across Africa since the middle of July 2021, the pandemic impact in sub-Saharan Africa remains lower vs. vaccinated regions of the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Sub-Saharan Africa also has a younger demographic, in which according to CDC data, older individuals are more susceptible to death from COVID versus the youth. Most deaths occur in those aged 65 or older with regard to COVID.
In addition, sub-Saharan Africa lacks long-term care facilities, which have been a hotbed of COVID infections in the U.S.