Israel has approved a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose for people over 60 years old and medical staff, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday.

In a televised press conference, Bennett said that the fourth dose of the vaccine, developed by Pfizer, was approved by the country's Health Ministry for people over 60 and medical personnel who received the third dose at least four months ago.

He said that the additional booster would provide Israelis "a new layer of defense."

Earlier, the Health Ministry's Director-General Nachman Ash said Israel could reach herd immunity as Omicron infections mounted and Merck & Co's molnupiravir antiviral pill was approved for use in COVID-19 patients over 18.

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)