COVID-19 vaccination in Israel

Israel's COVID-19 vaccination programme began on 19 December 2020, and has been praised for its speed, having given twenty percent of the Israeli population the first dose of the vaccines' two dose regimen in the span of three weeks.[1][2] However, the country has been criticized by some for giving the vaccine to Israeli settlers, and there is debate over if Israel or the Palestinian National Authority is responsible for administrating vaccinations in those areas.[3]

History

Israel started its campaign on 19 December 2020, with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu being the first person in the country to receive the vaccine, getting injected on live TV to encourage other Israelis to get vaccinated.[4]

Eligibility

According to Business Insider, Israeli citizens of any origin as well as Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem are eligible for the vaccine, with people older than 60, healthcare workers, and those who are "especially vulnerable" being prioritized. However, an estimated five million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza (which are not under Israeli control) are not eligible as their healthcare is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority per the Oslo Accords.[3]

References
  1. Ellyatt, Holly (8 January 2021). "Israel's Covid vaccine rollout is the fastest in the world — here are some lessons for the rest of us". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  2. Schwartz, Felicia (11 January 2021). "Israel's Covid-19 Vaccinations Hold Lessons for U.S." Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-01-13 – via www.wsj.com.
  3. Zitser, Joshua. "Israel, the Palestinians, and the COVID-19 vaccination rollout: The legal and moral obligations". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  4. "Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu receives Pfizer vaccine". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
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