Several Israelis who have previously contracted COVID-19 on Wednesday threatened to sue the Ministry of Health if they are not allowed to be vaccinated against the disease.
Using the services of a lawyer, convalescent coronavirus patients with low levels of antibodies submitted a letter of request to Ministry of Health Director General Hezi Levy complaining about the decision to exclude them from the country’s vaccination campaign.
T., 57, from central Israel, contracted the virus in July along with several members of her family, and although the results of a serologic test they performed showed low levels of COVID-19 antibodies, their health care provider rejected it. give them the vaccine. as a result of orders from the Ministry of Health not to vaccinate those who have recovered from the disease.
“A serologic test, which I paid out of my pocket, showed that I was open to contracting and spreading the disease as much as everyone else,” T. told Ynet.
“You can’t just describe everyone who has been diagnosed with a coronavirus as ‘recovery’. Why don’t I have the right to voluntarily get the coronavirus vaccine? What did I’m wrong? I’m scared to leave the house. “
T.’s lawyer, Assaf Sharaf, said the problem caused by his client is not expected to worsen when the economy reopens on Sunday.
“There could be a situation where those who have passed on COVID and are allowed to enter gyms, hotels and certified venues can get rid of thousands of people with the virus without it. the idea of doing so, God forbid, “said Sharaf.
“If those who have been vaccinated want to get the vaccine voluntarily, there is no reason not to give them the vaccine, there are enough vaccines for everyone. That is why we hastened and submitted an urgent application to the director general of the Ministry of Health. If we receive a negative response, we intend to appeal to the High Court of Justice. “
Just like T. and her family, a 29-year-old S. from northern Israel has a similar problem.
“Calling me to donate plasma for coronavirus research is good but allows me to get the vaccine because the level of antibodies in my blood is declining,” said S.
“Weren’t we, the early patients, abused enough by the strange decisions of the Ministry of Health at the beginning of the crisis? With this whole process of trial and error that we personally found ourselves? I went. through hell until I got my recovery certificate, for example.This decision discriminates against a large group within the country’s population.
The ministry said in response that “low levels of antibodies do not necessarily indicate immunodeficiency” and the question of vaccination of those who have passed COVID-19 will be discussed with the ministry’s epidem action group.