JERUSALEM (Reuters) – More than 97% of COVID-19 deaths in Israel last month were people who were not vaccinated, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday as his government tries to increase attendance at Pfizer vaccines Inc.
About 38% of Israel’s 9 million population received at least one dose of vaccine, says the Ministry of Health. But the government’s goals of reaching 50% coverage and reopening the economy next month have been challenged as the pace vaccination diary decreases.
“We are in a national emergency,” Netanyahu told reporters.
“I want to give you a shocking fact: in the last month – in the last 30 days – 1,536 people have died (from COVID-19) in the State of Israel. More than 97% of them have not been vaccinated. Less than 3% have been vaccinated. “
The vaccination campaign began on December 19 with a focus on Israelis over 60 and other high-risk groups. Israel has since reduced the eligible 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 influenced by rumors of possible long-term side effects of vaccines.
Dismissing skepticism about the vaccine as “false news”, Netanyahu added: “We are a vaccination nation. We have vaccines for all citizens, for everyone … If you go and get vaccinated, you will be saving your lives.”
(Written by Dan Williams; Editing by Nick Macfie)