Initial agreement, held up by political infighting, would have seen purchase of double the number of shots; NIS 1.5 billion price tag to be paid from excess Finance Ministry funds

Albert Bourla believes COVID-19 inoculations will become an annual affair; says bringing down pool of people susceptible to virus crucial to halting pandemic

Albert Bourla hails partnership between the Jewish state and his pharma firm: 'We are demonstrating that through mass vaccination we can defeat the COVID-19 pandemic'

Trials carried out on 2,260 US adolescents show robust antibody response; Health Ministry officials quoted saying Israel can quickly start inoculating teens after okay given

Infighting between Likud, Blue and White has delayed discussing new purchases; coronavirus czar Nachman Ash worries failure to secure funds could threaten deals

Three different dosing levels are being tested; company is already testing the shots on kids aged 12-15

144 children between 6 months and 11 years old to receive shot in initial phase; pharma firm's spokesperson says hoping for results later this year

Speaking with Israeli TV, Albert Bourla says kids under 16 likely to soon get okay for vaccines, younger children to be vaccinated by year's end

Television network says Albert Bourla and members of his delegation not given both doses yet; visit expected in late spring

Health Ministry reportedly waiting only for Pfizer's initial safety findings; some 200 Israelis under 16 already vaccinated with no serious side effects