The Vaccines Committee of the Ministry of Health discussed this evening (Sunday) the issue of the appropriate intervals between doses of vaccine for children ages 5-11. During the discussion, works from around the world were presented that examine the usefulness of different intervals between the first vaccine and the second vaccine.
The committee decided by a majority vote to adhere to the existing vaccination protocol of administering a second vaccine at three-week intervals in light of the fact that there are no data yet showing an advantage in changing the protocol and considering that most morbidity is now in children.
In addition, the committee discussed the question of giving a booster shot to children ages 12-15 and decided by a majority vote to recommend giving the booster five months from the date of the second dose.
The committee's recommendations are subject to the approval of the Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Nachman Ash.