SCHOOL COVID-19 CASES PROMPT VACCINATIONS

A weak link in Israel's world-beating COVID-19 vaccination rollout until now, adolescents have found themselves on the front line of the campaign with fears of the Delta variant prompting reluctant parents to get their children vaccinated.

Just 2-4 per cent of 12-15-year-olds have been vaccinated since they were made eligible this month, according to Health Ministry data.

With infections falling from more than 10,000 daily cases in January to single digits, Israel has dropped nearly all social distancing. It hopes to admit vaccinated tourists as of July.

But after daily cases more than doubled to 125 on Monday after outbreaks at two schools, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that border clampdowns could be extended.

“Vaccinate your children,” he urged in televised remarks.

Israel's two largest healthcare providers say appointments for 12-15-year-old vaccinations have tripled in the last few days.

Experts say there will be no herd immunity if the younger generation is not vaccinated.