JERUSALEM (Reuters) – More than 97% of COVID-19 deaths in Israel in the past month were unvaccinated, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday as his government sought to increase the turnout for Pfizer Inc shots. .
About 38% of Israel’s 9 million inhabitants have received at least one dose of vaccine, says the Ministry of Health. But the government’s goals of achieving 50% coverage next month and reopening the economy are being challenged as the daily vaccination rate slows.
“We are in a national emergency,” Netanyahu told reporters.
‘I want to give you a frightening fact: in the past month – the last 30 days – 1536 people (to COVID-19) have died in the state of Israel. More than 97% of them had not yet been vaccinated. Less than 3% were vaccinated. “
The vaccination process began on December 19, focusing on Israelis over the age of 60 and other high-risk groups. Israel has since lowered the qualifying age to 16, but sees less urgency among younger citizens who are less prone to dangerous coronavirus complications.
Israeli officials also believe that some people are under the impression of rumors about the possible lasting side effects of the vaccines.
Netanyahu dismissed the skepticism about vaccines as’ fake news’: ‘We are a vaccination country. We have vaccinations for every citizen, for everyone … If you go vaccination, save your lives. ‘
(Written by Dan Williams; Edited by Nick Macfie)