Calls from patients soar, while violence – mostly but not only verbal – is also on the rise, doctors say ■ Aside from all their regular work, family doctors treat 98 percent of coronavirus patients
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A young Israeli receives a COVID-19 vaccine injection, at a Clalit vaccination center in Holon, February 4, 2021. (Chen Leopold/Flash90)
The Israeli Pediatric Association on Tuesday published a call for parents and family doctors to vaccinate their children when the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for those under 16 years old.
The association said it was waiting for regulators to approve the shot. On Friday Pfizer-BioNTech asked for authorization to use its COVID-19 vaccine on 12- to 15-year-olds in the United States.
The letter said the vaccine was safe and effective for children and would help drive down virus rates in the country.
Israeli children s doctors to issue call to vaccinate under 16 s timesofisrael.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesofisrael.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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In an attempt to battle the measles outbreak, some countries in Europe have enacted laws making vaccinating children mandatory. (Illustrative. Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
A group of 93 doctors have signed on to a letter urging the government to hold off on vaccinating children below the age of 16 until more is learned about the coronavirus and the inoculation’s impact.
The letter comes against the backdrop of Pfizer’s request for emergency approval from the FDA to allow for the vaccination of 12- to 15-year-olds.
In their letter, the doctors call for the continued vaccination of vulnerable populations and claim that it is still possible to fully reopen the economy even without vaccinating children who are less likely to become ill from the virus.
Israel s rapid rollout provides the first real-world proof that COVID vaccination works as well as promised Andrew Romano
When it comes to vaccinating people against COVID-19 as quickly as possible, Israel is the undisputed world champion so far. In per capita terms, the country has administered more than 55 doses of either the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine for every 100 residents. A full third of its population has already received at least the first of the two required doses.
No other nation comes close. In fourth and sixth place, respectively, the United Kingdom (15 doses per 100 residents) and the United States (10 doses per 100 residents) trail far behind.