Guidelines from the Ministry of Health Regarding the Use of the Vaccine for the New COVID-19 Sublineages

Today, Thursday, September 21 2023, the Ministry of Health's Department of Epidemiology issued a directive to HMOs addressing the indications for the vaccine for new sublineages of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. 

The Ministry of Health continually tracks cases of infection with coronavirus lineages. As of the time of releasing this message, there is a very slight increase in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 cases in Israel, most of them with a mild illness. There was also a very slight increase in the number of cases in critical condition and the number of COVID-19-related deaths. The Omicron sublineages are the most common in Israel; Omicron is one of many variants causing infections both in Israel and around the world.

The FDA-approved vaccines that will arrive in Israel are produced by Moderna.  

People 12 years of age or older can get the vaccine in the first phase, which will start after Sukkot. At-risk persons might develop a serious COVID-19 illness, no matter how many doses or what vaccine they have previously received, so they will be given priority at first. More groups will get the vaccine later on, when new supply arrives. 

The Ministry of Health recommends that everybody with a weakened immune system get the vaccine for COVID-19. 

The Ministry of Health advises receiving the booster shot in the fall, ideally together with the flu shot. More people will be eligible for vaccination later, when a new batch of vaccines is delivered, under the following guidelines:

• In general, vaccines are approved for everyone aged 6 months and older, regardless of the number of prior doses administered.
• The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered concurrently with other vaccines, including the influenza vaccine, without regard to the timing of most other vaccines; an exception is the monkeypox vaccine, which should be given four weeks before or after other vaccines, especially among teens and young men.
• Pregnant women can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any time during pregnancy. They can receive it with other vaccinations advised for pregnant women, such as the flu shot or the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination, without regard to timing. Breastfeeding mothers and women who are trying to get pregnant can receive vaccinations in accordance with protocol.