Drugmaker says it has started application for green light from US drug authority, a month after Israel started offering 3rd shot to wider population

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

Pharmaceutical giant's CEO says finding from trial suggest booster shot elicits antibody levels significantly higher than those seen in patients who only receive two doses

Bourla says key reason Israel chosen for rollout was that then-PM 'was on top of everything'; says Holocaust survivor parents taught him he can do anything, but be ready for worst

Health Ministry chief accepts expert panel's recommendation to back move; HMOs start scheduling appointments; health minister receives 3rd shot: 'Now is a critical time'

Gov't appointed committee likely to back lowering age requirement for 3rd dose, with Bennett reportedly pressing members to drop it to 40 as serious cases climb up further

PM's office says Albert Bourla committed to working ‘to the best of his ability’ to move the process along and expand eligibility

Mayo Clinic research finds both inoculations have dropped in efficacy, but Pfizer's decline has been much steeper; both remain highly effective against severe illness

Strong sales of its COVID-19 shot help Pfizer nearly double its second-quarter revenue, setting it on a path to $33.5 billion in vaccine sales in 2021

Pfizer says trial results for those aged 5-11 likely in by September; company seeking full approval, as some are hesitant due to emergency use authorization