ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Health Ministry Director-General Prof. Nachman Ash stressed on Thursday that former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's help is "not needed" for acquiring more coronavirus vaccinations, after the opposition leader announced that he had spoken to the CEO of Pfizer in recent days.

"We don't need his help," Ash told KAN Reshet Bet radio. "I respect his opinion, but the decision is made by professional bodies. Our connection with Pfizer and Moderna is direct."

In a video on Twitter on Wednesday, Netanyahu said that he had spoken with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla twice in recent days.

"I have arrived at the conclusion that the State of Israel needs to immediately order millions of vaccinations and needs to immediately begin giving the third dose to the elderly population," said Netanyahu in the video.Israelis who are immunocompromised and may not have developed antibodies against the disease are already allowed to receive a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine, in light of accumulating evidence that a third dose may help immunocompromised people develop antibodies.
Medical professionals have largely advised against widespread administration of a third dose of the coronavirus vaccination until further studies are conducted on the matter. Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that a booster shot of the vaccine is not needed right now.

The coronavirus cabinet is set to meet on Thursday for the first time in a week, with expectations that additional restrictions will be announced in an effort to combat the growing outbreak of the Delta variant of the novel coronavirus in Israel.