Israel has ramped up its campaign to offer a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine by inoculating people aged 60 or older, as well as medical workers.

The Israeli government on Sunday announced the expansion of the fourth-dose campaign, which had so far been limited mostly to elderly residents of care homes. This came after the country began offering a third dose last August.

On Monday, many people were seen at a vaccination venue in Jerusalem. One of them was an 82-year-old woman who said she decided to get her fourth shot to live as normally as possible.

She added that she didn't have any qualms about the fourth booster because it was recommended by the government and experts.
Long lines have been forming outside of PCR testing sites across the country amid a surge in cases related to the Omicron variant.

Israel reported 6,562 new cases on Sunday, the first time since September of last year that the daily tally has topped 6,000.

The government is calling on people aged below 30 to get vaccinated as they account for more than half of the confirmed cases.

It seeks to avoid imposing tougher restrictions by focusing on these other measures, including a fourth vaccine dose to elderly people at higher risk of developing severe symptoms.