Israel to get our vaccine in the coming days

Zaks, who is in Israel, made the news two days after the country approved the use of the Moderna vaccine in their nationwide vaccination campaign.

The company says its vaccine was 94.5% effective in clinical trials, similar to the level of effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine that Israel has been using since it began rolling out the vaccine at a rapid pace. last month.

“I am very proud as an Israeli that Israel is one of the first countries in the world to apply to buy the vaccine early, both we and Pfizer, and it is at the very forefront of today’s in terms of the ability of its citizens to be vaccinated, “Zaks said.

“Our vaccine has some supply benefits: it can be kept in a less frozen environment and even at room temperature for a few hours.”

The Pfizer vaccine has some delivery challenges as it needs to be stored at -70 ° C.

Zaks also praised Israel’s vaccination campaign, saying it could “set an example for many health ministries around the world.”

He also calmly dealt with the recommendation by the Ministry of Health No. 2 Prof. Itamar Grotto, who called on Israel to give just one dose of the vaccine per person instead of the two doses that both Moderna and Pfizer say are essential to achieving virus protection.

“It’s a gamble that’s not based on the data,” Zaks said. “The same goes for the two companies’ vaccine mix. No one has researched effectiveness.

“I can understand where such a suggestion comes from; The health ministry is trying to vaccinate as many people in the least amount of time as possible, ”he said.

“But as a scientist I think it’s vital that we follow the scientific data, which shows that, four weeks after both vaccines, the effectiveness of inoculation is very high.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the first batch of Moderna vaccines would reach Israel on Thursday. It was marked, the Prime Minister said, for those who would find it difficult to go to a medical center to get it.

“We will give the vaccines to those who cannot reach the clinics and who have to stay at home,” he said.

“This is Modern’s first passenger, there will be more, and I am working to give millions more vaccines to Israeli citizens so that we can get rid of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Netanyahu.

While Israel is among the countries that received the highest vaccination of their numbers, Israel ‘s two largest health funds said Tuesday they would no longer schedule new meetings for the first dose of the vaccine. vaccination due to lack of vials.

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein has promised that everyone who received the first dose of the vaccine will also get a second one.