Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 72, was to be the first Israeli to receive the vaccine on Saturday, followed by Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, 62.
The pair were receiving the Pfizer vaccine on Saturday afternoon at Tel Hashomer hospital.
The vaccines were to be broadcast live to “encourage the Israeli public to get the vaccine,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
President Reuven Rivlin will receive the vaccine on Sunday, when the country ‘s hospital staff and health professionals will start receiving the vaccine.
Health officials claim Israel could become the first country in the world to vaccinate the endangered population as it launched its defense campaign this afternoon. Saturday.
LR: Maccabi HMO Head of RFan Saar, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein
From Monday, the elderly and at-risk will be able to get the vaccine at their local HMO after ordering an appointment with their doctor.
According to Channel 12, Israel may be the first country in the world to end nationwide vaccination of the endangered population.
This is due to the relatively small population of the country, which currently stands at just over 9 million, compared to the high ratio of vaccines per person it already has and which expect to receive in the coming weeks.
Edelstein told Channel 12 that Israel could complete the first round of vaccinations for those at risk in about two weeks.
They then have to return for a second injection 21 days later, meaning Israel could complete vaccination of the endangered populations by the end of January.