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- Israel has set an expiration date on its vaccine pass, which enables access to restaurants and bars.
- A booster shot received within 5 months of the second dose extends the pass's validity by six months.
- Israel has already delivered more than 1.9 million boosters and all over 12 are now eligible.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
Israel said its vaccine pass, which grants access to non-essential venues, now expires six months after the second dose of vaccine.
Getting a booster shot five months after the second dose resets the clock and extends eligibility for the pass by another six months, Israel's health ministry announced on Sunday.
The news comes as Israel has been rolling out boosters. On Sunday, Israel's health minister granted access to a third shot to all those over the age of 12 who received a second shot at least five months prior, the Times of Israel reported.
"From today, the third dose is available to everyone," said Israel's Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash on Sunday, the Times of Israel reported.
The green pass is also valid within six months of recovery from COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.
Israel vaccine pass, called the 'green pass,' is required to gain access to a number of non-essential venues such as bars and restaurants, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.
The pass applies to anyone over the age of three. Children who aren't eligible for the vaccine can prove their COVID-19 status using a free antigenic test, per Israel's health ministry guidance.
Vaccines remain highly protective against severe disease and death. But data suggest their efficacy against infection is waning over time, prompting Israel to roll out boosters in an effort to curb rising cases in the country.
The country has been administering booster shots for more than a month. The third dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines first became available to all those over the age of 80 in late July and Israel has been gradually extending the age eligibility.
As of Sunday, about 1.9 million Israelis had received a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, per the Times of Israel.
This month, the US is also set to roll out boosters to most Americans who got their second shot more than eight months ago.
The UK, Germany, and France have also announced their intention to roll out the third shots to more vulnerable populations in September.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a moratorium on booster doses until at least the end of September. Vaccine boosters for the "fit and healthy" are a "'luxury' item," the WHO said in a statement sent to Insider on Tuesday.