Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu suggested it may be necessary for Israelis to get vaccinated twice this year, in addition, that Israel is in talks with pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Moderna for additional mass purchases of COVID vaccines.

 “Within one year, we may need to get vaccinated twice, so we’re in talks with Pfizer and Moderna for the establishment of a vaccine factory in Israel,” said Netanyahu.

With the possibility to expand the mandate of the Green passport system beyond the initial six-month period, Israel is considering a massive expansion of the vaccination program.

The Green Passport system, which limits access to some venues to Israelis with valid vaccination certificates or certificates of recovery from the coronavirus, may be extended beyond the initial six-month period, Netanyahu added.

If re-elected the following month, Netanyahu stated that his “primary mission will be to bring 36 million more vaccines over the next year.”