The Health Ministry is likely to recommend canceling serology tests for children once the country begins vaccinating those aged 5 – 11, Channel 12 News reported Sunday.

Serology tests are used to detect COVID-19 antibodies, indicating past infection and then recovery from the coronavirus.

Children who have antibodies are entitled to get the so-called Green Pass, a permit granting entry to public venues only for those who are vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.

The official said serology tests for children, which are offered at Israeli hospitals, will be stopped as soon as vaccination is available for under 12-year-olds, ending the tests as a means to obtaining a Green Pass.

Children who have already obtained a Green Pass by taking a serology test would be able to keep the permit, but no new passes would be issued using the method, the report said.

Children who have not got antibodies can still get a temporary Green Pass by taking a virus test which grants them the permit for a few days.

Obtaining a Green Pass from a serology test that finds antibodies relieves children from having to repeatedly take virus tests ahead of family outings to venues that require a Green Pass for entry, such as restaurants and attractions.

On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration said that kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear to be highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in elementary school children and caused no unexpected safety issues.