Prof. Nadav Davidovitch says variants have made returning to normal even harder, but he offers advice, and a peek at the possible road ahead, for a nation seeking immunity now

'People around the world should feel reassured,’ says public health expert; side effects similar to those seen after most other vaccines, Health Ministry reports

On a positive note, ultra-Orthodox vaccination rates catching up with general population, but remain low in some virus hotspots, according to Health Ministry stats

Israel had started to exempt immunized people from quarantine, but as part of all-out bid to stop the spread of virus variants, government is now ‘reevaluating whole issue'

Vaccination rate highest among 70- to 79-year-olds, with 92% having received 1st dose, even as Israel struggles to contain third wave of the virus

Commerce Department reports GDP shrunk by 3.5% in 2020 while net exports fell 13% and personal consumption expenditures dropped 3.9%

Decision still requires final approval, comes amid rising morbidity among Israelis under 16 years old

Figure represents 0.015 percent of people, indicating vaccine is hitting 95% efficiency rate predicted by clinical trials; top immunologist hails 'exciting results'

Full effects of Pfizer’s shots only kick in around a month after inoculation, but data from Israel shows there is a stark drop in infections even before that point

Donors must decide whether to direct resources to arts and culture while hunger and poverty persist, with the health crisis exacerbating an already dire situation for both causes