Israel will Begin Vaccinating Against COVID-19 on Dec. 27
10 December, 2020 |
5 years ago
Jerusalem, 10 December, 2020 (TPS-IL) -- Israel will launch its operation to inoculate the population against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on December 27, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday evening.
The first batch of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Israel earlier in the day and another two shipments are expected to arrive in the country on Thursday and Friday.
Medical teams and health system workers will receive the vaccine as soon as next week.
Speaking at the Health Ministry during a press conference with Health Minister Yuli Edelstein following a professional discussion on readiness for the vaccinations, Netanyahu stated that “on the eve of Chanukah, we have brought great light to the State of Israel. The first Pfizer vaccines arrived in the country.”
He pointed out that “it is not a given that the State of Israel, a giant country in so many ways, but a small state with nine million citizens, would receive the vaccines at the same as Great Britain and the leading and largest countries in the world. This is a great achievement for the State of Israel; I am very proud of it.”
Netanyahu has had eight conversations with Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla.
“This evening, I announce to you that the first vaccines will be given on 27 December. This is in another 18 days, two-and-a-half weeks,” he declared.
The plan is to vaccinate 60,000 a day.
Those who received the vaccine will get a “green passport” that will enable them to enter events, malls, facilities and all kinds of services with no restrictions.
According to estimates, about one million Israelis will be eligible for the green passport by the end of January. More than half a million citizens are expected to be vaccinated, in addition to more than 300,000 Israelis who have recovered from Corona.
Furthermore, about 40,000 Israelis are tested for COVID-19 daily, so there will be about 120,000 citizens who were tested in the last 72 hours, at any given moment. Additionally, these are those who have been found to be carrying antibodies in serological tests.
“It will arrive. It is not yet over but it is on the way. What we will start in another few days is not only an operation to inject encouragement, it is a great thing. We are bringing the end of the pandemic and this is certainly a reason to say – happy holiday,” declared Netanyahu.
