Can Israel Become the First Country to Vaccinate All of Its High-Risk People?
Demographics, an effective health system, and a fast acquisition of vaccines might help Israel end Covid-19 spread
It’s not every day that a leader of a country is standing on the tarmac patiently waiting for a cargo plane full of boxes to be unpacked. On Wednesday, December 9, the Israeli prime minister did just that. “I have been serving as prime minister for quite a few years,” said Benjamin Netanyahu, “and this is one of the most moving moments. … We are seeing the end of the pandemic. This is a great day for Israel.” Netanyahu then announced that he will be the first Israeli to receive the vaccine, made by Pfizer and BioNTech, in order to set a personal example and boost confidence among Israelis.
While some criticized Netanyahu, claiming he’s trying to turn the arrival of the vaccines into a PR stunt, the excitement is understandable. Israel has been through a very complicated battle with the coronavirus. The country managed to end the first wave with a relatively low number of infections and deaths only to become the first country in the world to go into a second full shutdown. As cases currently continue to rise, Israel will soon be going through another set of restrictions. Israelis, same as anybody else…
