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Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks of a “world vaccination record”: In Israel, vaccinations against the coronavirus are particularly fast. By March, 60 percent of the population should have received the vaccine. How does the country do it?
By Benjamin Hammer, ARD-Studio Tel Aviv
About ten days ago there was a party at the Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. Employees danced in gowns and covering their mouths and noses because the first vaccines against the corona virus were administered.
Israel began vaccinating particularly early. And especially fast. Almost 500,000 Israelis had been vaccinated at the beginning of the week. That corresponds to almost five percent of the population. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised that 150,000 people a day will soon be vaccinated. A significantly higher value than plans in Germany. Although nine times fewer people live in Israel than in Germany.
“Our vaccination goal equates to a world record,” says Benjamin Netanyahu. “In a month we will be vaccinating all citizens over 60 years of age and medical personnel. If we can do that, after another 30 days we can leave the virus behind, open up the economy and do things that no other country can do. “
The third block should be the last
Of course, Netanyahu did not mention that as many corona infections per capita were detected in Israel as in any other country. But even critics of Netanyahu’s previous crown policy do not deny that Israel is currently vaccinating itself particularly quickly. If risk groups are protected, so the calculation, much more normalcy will return to everyday life.
The third shutdown, which began Sunday, is said to be Israel’s last. But why is Israel so fast? Arnon Afek, a doctor and professor at Sheba Hospital near Tel Aviv, points out that Israel is a small country. This facilitates the distribution of the vaccine. The four state health insurance companies also play an important role.
“The health insurance companies in Israel directly handle the treatment. They employ a large number of doctors. Prime Minister Netanyahu talks about 150,000 vaccinations a day. I think it will be a difficult task. But I think we can do it.”
60 percent of the population vaccinated in March?
Israel wants to vaccinate 60 percent of the population by March. In Germany, this value should not be reached until late summer. Because there are many young people and few old people in Israel by international comparison, all Israelis aged 60 and over can get vaccinated here. This is not yet the case in Germany.
Perhaps the most decisive factor in Israel’s speed is the vaccine. The product of Biontech and Pfizer can currently be used in particular. Israel will receive 4-5.6 million doses of this vaccine by the end of January, according to media reports. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, Germany only has three to four million in the same period. In plain language: in little Israel, more Pfizer / Biontech vaccines will be available in the coming weeks than in Germany.
Israel ordered the vaccine with more determination
When the first reports of the vaccine’s high efficacy came in in the fall, Israel turned to Pfizer with more determination than the European Union. Prime Minister Netanyahu personally called the CEO of Pfizer. Israeli journalist Nadav Eyal believes that money may also have played a role.
“The EU pays around US $ 18 for a dose of vaccine. Israel pays US $ 30 according to media reports. This is very important to Pfizer. For a country to pay more to get more.”
Israel could be one of the first countries in the world to see life return to normal through vaccination.
“Israel is basically a good experimental field for vaccines. Because the population is comparatively young, it only takes a little time here to vaccinate everyone in risk groups.”
Those responsible do not want to waste time. The latest plan: vaccination stations open 24 hours. Seven days a week.
