Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received the Covid-19 vaccine. (File)
Ramat Gan, Israel:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received the Covid-19 vaccine on Saturday, launching a national outcry in the coming days.
Netanyahu, 71, and Israel’s health minister were vaccinated live on TV at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu told television viewers: “I met with Health Minister Yuli Edelstein to ask for the vaccine first.
They should each receive a booster shot every three weeks for optimal protection from the novel coronavirus.
United States Vice President Mike Pence televised it live on Friday, with President-elect Joe Biden receiving his shot on Monday.
President Trump has made it clear that he does not plan to vaccinate immediately, citing his conviction that a brief but serious fight with Covid-19 would prevent his recovery.
According to the latest figures from Israel’s health ministry, more than 370,000 people have tested positive for the virus since its first case was confirmed in February.
More than 3,000 people have died in a country of about 9 million.
According to the health ministry, the vaccine will be delivered to 10 hospitals and immunization centers around Israel from Sunday.
During the week, a ministry statement said the vaccines would be distributed to the general public, starting with children over the age of 60.
(Except for the headline, this story is not edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
