With Pfizer shots set to expire at end of July, no more first doses will be given to ages 12-15, possibly until September; adults can continue to get Moderna shots

Bid to get OK comes even as studies indicate that two-dose regimen still protects and many places continue to struggle to get first shot to people

Agreement brokered with South Korea will see Israel receive vaccines in September-November in exchange for doses set to expire at end of this month

Under agreement with Seoul, Israel to send doses that will expire by end of month and receive a similar number in return at end of year from existing South Korean deal with Pfizer

But Ran Balicer, chair of Israel's national expert panel on COVID-19, stresses it is 'too early to precisely assess vaccine effectiveness against the variant'

Figures reportedly indicate vaccine less effective against contagion from variant, but hospitalizations remain low; officials said weighing use of Moderna for 2nd dose for over 18s

Serious cases climb to 29; over 16,000 vaccine doses administered Wednesday amid race to inoculate children and teens

Health officials reportedly considering return of ‘Green Pass’ system; Interior Minister Shaked warns incoming, outgoing flights could be halted; hospitalization rates remain low

Nanoparticles, tested on mice and unveiled in peer-reviewed research, head straight to cells that are inflamed, and either ‘silence’ or edit the gene that is causing inflammation

Research indicates booster shots may not be needed and that inoculation is able to provide defense against at least some of the coronavirus variants