3 million fully vaccinated

by COFIS Admin -  Email the team at admin@cofis.org

Brilliant news today that more than 3 million Israelis - roughly 1/3 of the total population, have now received the crucial second coronavirus vaccination.  This includes more than 90% of the vulnerable 60+ age group.  The Chair of COFIS got his first coronavirus vaccination today and has confirmed to us that it is almost completely painless. Although many businesses re-opened on Sunday, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein is talking about the possibility of nighttime curfews and, certainly, there will be restrictions on Purim celebrations upcoming this week.

Speaking of the 60+ age group, some of them may be old enough to recall the last time that legendary American show Saturday Night Live was funny. The antisemitic 'joke' that was made last Saturday by Michael Che, accusing Israel of only vaccinating Jews made no attempt at humour, instead transferring medieval blood libel to a modern context.

It's good to see some of the creative ways that local authorities in Israel are using to encourage people to take up vaccinations. Tel Aviv has put in place a range of measures, from free pizza and hummus to setting up a mobile vaccination facility in a bar, with a free drink for volunteers. Meanwhile, the very conservative community of Bnei Brak has opted for a more traditional offering of cholent for those who come forward to be vaccinated.


SOURCES:

1.https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/coronavirus/1614017268-israel-health-ministry-over-3-million-israelis-have-received-both-doses-of-covid-vaccine
2,https://www.jpost.com/opinion/coronavirus-israel-should-give-iran-vaccines-opinion-659836
3.https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/297243
4.https://www.timesofisrael.com/care-for-a-shot-with-your-shot-tel-aviv-sets-up-vaccine-station-in-local-bar/
5.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-israel-vaccination-idUSKBN2AG21N
6.https://apnews.com/article/israel-misinformation-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-museums-462b98e0ff0d7d5bf4400c84a61047b2