Israel's COVID Green Pass changes Sunday - here's what you need to know

• Author: MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
• Published date: 02 October 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

At last count, more than 1.5 million Israelis were set to lose their passes because they no longer meet the criteria for being fully vaccinated or immune to coronavirus. Do you qualify?

Here is The Jerusalem Post guide to the Green Pass:

Who is considered eligible for a Green Pass?

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Vaccinated individuals: People must have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine within the last six months or have received a third shot/booster dose within the last six months.

Because the third dose is only considered effective beginning a week after inoculation, those relying on the booster shot will only be able to receive a pass seven days after vaccination.

Those who have been vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer vaccine must also wait a week to receive their passes. For people who get the Moderna vaccine, the waiting period is two weeks.

What if I recovered from COVID?

People who have recovered from COVID-19 can receive a pass for up to six months from the date of issuance of their recovery certificate. After six months, these individuals are required to get a vaccine shot to be eligible for a Green Pass.

The reason for this is that research conducted by the Gertner Institute and several Israeli hospitals found that, over time, protection wanes for people who had COVID. However, when a single dose is administered, their protection spikes to as high as it is for those who have received three doses.

Individuals who tested positive via a serological test and then received a booster are also eligible for a pass.

The Green Pass for those who have recovered and received a vaccine shot will be valid for six months from the day of vaccination.

Children under 12 cannot be vaccinated. So, what do they do?

Children who cannot yet get vaccinated will need to be tested for the coronavirus.

Youth who are screened with a PCR test and found negative as part of the Magen Education program will have a valid Green Pass for seven days from the date of the test. Otherwise, they will be asked to take a rapid antigen test at one of hundreds of locations across Israel. The results of these tests are valid for 24 hours.

Last week, Pfizer submitted its data to the US Food and Drug Administration on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for children ages five to 11. The FDA is expected to rule on whether to grant emergency use authorization for...