US becomes first country to officially endorse shot; hundreds of millions of doses administered since emergency rollout in December

Former US president slams Biden's handling of Afghanistan as 'the greatest foreign policy humiliation in the history of the United States'

More than 1.4 million Israelis have received a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine, with early numbers said to show a high protection rate for those with the booster shot

684 deaths in 24 hours take total reported fatalities to 102,038, but health officials acknowledge the figures understate the real toll

But data indicates Israel cresting latest COVID wave; officials see 3rd shot offering best protection yet, expect it to last longer; cabinet said likely to open schools Sep. 1

230 people who received such dosage of inoculation, still in trials, do not need to get a booster; but others who had lower dosage are unprotected

Health Ministry's Sharon Alroy-Preis predicts 3rd vaccine doses will be made available to all in coming weeks; expert says booster shots will help lead to 'containment'

Bennett says an open Israel is 'within reach,' but avoiding 4th closure requires public's cooperation: 'You can protect yourselves, your livelihoods, our economy, our kids'

With Health Ministry chief widely expected to stamp expansion of program, health funds offer appointments to expanded age group, though not teachers

Experts say those given 3rd vaccine shot 6-8 times less likely to develop severe illness than those who got 2 doses; 10 cases of new AY3 strain identified in Israel