Israeli health ministry figures suggest that after 16 days, a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine boosts protection against severe illness from the virus to 97%, reported The Times of Israel.

Local media that cited the ministry figures also said that 16 days after the booster shot is administered, protection against infection jumps to 95%.

According to the report, while the level of antibodies is considerably higher within seven days of the shot, they appear to reach their peak after 16 days.

More than 1.7 million Israelis have received a booster dose since the shots first became available on August 1.

In addition, over 70% of those over the age of 70 have already received a third dose of the vaccine, according to the news source.

Since earlier this week, the booster shots are now available to all Israelis over the age of 30.