The Director General of the Ministry of Health said Dr. Hezi Levi on Thursday warned the heads of Israeli hospitals, health watchdogs and medical centers not to prioritize celebrities when vaccinating against coronavirus – unless they belong to priority groups.
Levi fired away from his warning letter after Ynet revealed that special officials within the health care system have been offering paid celebrities and social media influencers to the vaccine get coronavirus ahead of others to raise awareness and emphasize the importance of the vaccine.
The Director General of the Ministry of Health said Dr. Hezi levi
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
The companions of one famous singer told Ynet that a special hospital was offering his vaccine and his nuclear family in front of everyone else, including at-risk groups.
At least two celebrities rejected the offer, arguing that it was unfair for them to get the vaccine before others.
“This could damage the artist’s image,” one source said. “There were offers with a lot of money and the artists I spoke to declined – and rightly so. Why would they accept the vaccine before people at risk?”
Administering the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in Washington, DC
(Photo: AFP)
On Wednesday the Ministry of Health released a list of the main people who received the vaccine, topped by health care workers. Hospital staff are the first to receive the vaccine, followed by staff at HMOs and private health clinics.
Staff at geriatric and psychiatric centers will be vaccinated next, along with nursing and medical students and members of the Magen David Adom rescue group and other similar groups.
Nursing home staff and residents and members of the public will be over 60 after that.
People suffering from underlying health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, COPD lung disease, diabetes, patients with immunodeficiency, those who recovered through transplantation organs or suffering from hematologic disorders are eligible for vaccination in the second stage of transmission.
In addition, IDF soldiers on active duty will begin receiving the vaccine as early as the end of next month, with IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi the first member of the armed forces taken to in.
IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi
(Photo: Effie Shrir)
The medical staff within the army are vaccinated first, followed by soldiers with underlying health problems.
The Israelis who are not eligible for the vaccine at this time are those who have recently contracted the pathogen and have antibodies, pregnant or breastfeeding women (or women who are trying to get pregnant), people with severe allergies and children under 16.