Israel requires COVID-19 booster shots for stricter “green pass“
(VOVWORLD) - Israel on Sunday piled pressure on its vaccinated citizens to get a booster shot by making only those who received their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine eligible for a "green pass" allowing entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues.
 Israeli Izhak Mesfin, 44 years old, receives a third shot of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine as country launches booster shots for over 30-year-olds, in Rishon Lezion, Israel August 24, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS)
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Israel was an early adopter of Pfizer/BioNtech booster shots -- administering them to members of risk groups in July and by the end of August to anyone above the age of 12. Its campaign is being watched closely by other countries.
The new green pass replaces a previous system that required just two shots. It raises the bar for what the government considers full immunization.
About 37% of Israel's 9.4 million population has received a booster shot. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalised in serious condition has been dropping in recent days, as has the number of confirmed daily cases.