Palestine to offer 3rd COVID-19 shot amid spiking cases

By Awad al-Rujoub

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – The Palestinian government decided Monday to give a third shot of the coronavirus vaccine to certain citizens and groups.

The decision was taken following a meeting of the Palestinian national emergency committee to combat the COVID-19.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtayeh said the third dose will be offered to the medical staff, older citizens and patients.

Ishtayeh urged the education staff and students to take the COVID-19 vaccine to help resume the face-to-face learning with the least risks. He said health authorities are preparing to offer the vaccine to students over the age of 16.

The Palestinian premier warned that the virus cases were on the rise in both the West Bank and Gaza along.

Ishtayeh said that Palestine will receive on Tuesday 200,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine donated by the US via the World Health Organization's COVAX mechanism.

Palestinian health authorities have confirmed 356,875 cases, including 3,910 deaths.
According to the Health Ministry, 712,501 people have received the coronavirus vaccine, including 439,024 who received the two doses.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara