As the UK approves of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the latest job to gain approval, a global effort to vaccinate billions gathers momentum. Governments worldwide will be looking at Israel, which is roaring ahead with an ambitious inoculation drive.
More than 10% of its population against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) by the end of this week. The country of 9 million people has ramped up its vaccination drive to a 24/7 operation.
The number of people vaccinated against the killer virus in Israel has reached over 950,000.
How was Israel able to perform such Feat:
- Israel is a relatively small country in terms of geography and also population. Factors like a robust pre-pandemic digitalized healthcare system clubbed with the geographical advantages were responsible for Israel’s initial success.
- The government campaigned vigorously to curb the spread of anti-vaccine information. It petitioned Facebook to remove four groups that published “content designed to mislead about coronavirus vaccines”, according to a report.
- Everyone over the age of 18 is obliged to register with government-linked insurance agencies and army medics have been called in to help so with such manpower, Israel was able to successfully pull off the inoculation drive.
- ‘Green passports’ are being issued to encourage citizens to get vaccinated. These are documents that would allow vaccinated people to eat in restaurants, travel freely, and be exempted from quarantine.
Israel is currently in its third nationwide lockdown to contain the outbreak. It has reported more than 426,000 cases since the pandemic began.
The virus death toll in Israel increased to 3,325 with seven new fatalities, while the number of patients in serious condition rose from 661 to 679, out of 1,089 hospitalized patients.
The total recoveries rose to 376,322 after 2,184 new recovered cases were added, while active cases stand at 43,615.
Earlier this month, after Pfizer released positive preliminary results, the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said he had been working “around the clock” to strike a deal, including making calls to the company’s CEO at 2 am
