As Israel leads the world in coronavirus vaccination, some Arab and Palestinian citizens in East Jerusalem are on the verge of being shot with suspicion.
In what officials see as a result of misinformation about possible side effects or malicious premises, the turnout for vaccines has been low among Arabs, who make up 21% of the population of Israel, and the Palestinians of Jerusalem.
A medical worker at a clinic in East Jerusalem is preparing to protect a person against the crown virus
(Photo: Reuters)
“I will not receive the vaccine because I do not know what it is. No one has explained it to me,” said Marouf Alyino of East Jerusalem. “Everyone is looking at Facebook and social media, where we hear about someone dying (after getting the vaccine).”
Israel launched its immunization campaign in December. 19. The Ministry of Health said on Thursday that 17.5% of the population – and 70% of citizens aged 60 or older – had received the first sight.
Umm al-Fahm coronavirus vaccination center
(Photo: Reuters)
The weakness in some Arab communities has encouraged mostly Jewish citizens to go to clinics there looking for shorter queues. At times, leftover vaccines have been given to people to walk in that are not prioritized within the high-risk group.
One vaccination center, in the northern town of Umm al-Fahm, reported an increase in the presence of Arab recipients as the vaccination campaign spread with little news of bad luck.
Farida Mahajneh, the centre’s director, said voters were “scarce” when he took office at the end of December.
People waiting to be vaccinated against coronavirus in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
“But today the turnout is increasing day by day among Arab residents,” she said. “People should know that everyone should get the vaccine, and it’s safe.”
Ahmed Saif, the Ministry of Health’s coronavirus coordinator for the Arab community, said the region had only four vaccination centers in the first week of Israel’s dispersal.
“Now there are 40,” he said Monday.