Israel’s world-leading vaccination programme continues apace with more than half of the country’s population (53.7%) having received their first dose, as the country begins to share vaccines with countries around the world and gradually ease lockdown measures. Three million Israelis have so far received both doses.
Israel is set to distribute 100,000 surplus Covid-19 vaccines to at least 15 countries to help fight the pandemic, and it is reportedly considering vaccinating 100,000 Palestinians who work in Israel.
According to Israeli media reports, Israel is planning to provide vaccines to Cyprus, Hungary, Guatemala, the Czech Republic, Maldives, Ethiopia, Chad, Kenya, Uganda and Guinea. Each country will receive between 1,000 and 5,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. The Prime Minister’s Office stated this week that Israel has been contacted by numerous countries with requests for vaccines.
While shipments have been temporarily paused following the announcement of an investigation into the approval process by Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, Honduras and the Czech Republic have confirmed receipt of vaccines to be given to health workers. The investigation was called following complaints by rival politician, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, claiming the move hadn’t been “broached in the relevant forums”.
Gantz and Netanyahu have been rivals in three closely contested elections within two years and the country is returning to the polls after an unstable period of power-sharing between the two men.
