James Rothwell receiving the Pfizer vaccine at Hadassah Hospital
Credit: Quique Kierszenbaum
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
As the Telegraph’s correspondent in Jerusalem, I have spent many hours in the vaccine clinics of Israel, looking on as the golden ticket to freedom is squeezed into eager arms.
But on Tuesday, after a dreary year of lockdowns, lonely weekends and jettisoned social plans, it was my turn to receive the Covid jab, which will – hopefully – be the key to freedom.
At 29 years old, I am scarcely old enough to recall the death of Princess Diana. I am also fortunate to have no underlying health conditions or a compromised immune system.
But in Israel, the home of the world’s fastest vaccination drive, so many jabs have already been administered that the scheme was recently expanded to anyone over 16, including foreign correspondents.
On a sunny morning in Jerusalem I joined the queue inside the Hadassah Medical Centre, where dozens of reporters and diplomats chatted excitedly and filled out a brief form with their medical details.
Within an hour, I was sitting behind a screen as nurse Chava Gardner prepared my first dose of coronavirus vaccine. The 45-year-old reassured me that this was her 22,500th vaccination. Or thereabouts.
In went the needle, with a mild sting and the flick of a plaster. I had already received a text message with the date of my appointment for the second dose – only three weeks away.
Israel has vaccinated around 40 per cent of its 9.1 million strong population, including the vast majority of its elderly and vulnerable, making the Jewish state the envy of the world.
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Officials hope that by the end of March the country will return to some semblance of normality, with plans for a so-called green passport that allows vaccinated Israelis to enjoy holidays abroad, music festivals and other events.
But in recent days, the rate of vaccinations has begun to slow, reportedly because younger people are less interested in being protected. One Israeli clinic had to dispose of around a thousand vaccine doses due to a lack of people requesting appointments.
In the Palestinian Territories, which are partially under the control of the Palestinian Authority, vaccinations of the public are also due to begin in the weeks to come.
Some businesses in Israel have even been offering incentives for vaccinated staff, with a 500 shekel (£100) bonus and a day off going to workers at the mattress company Swiss System.
Meanwhile, baristas at cafe chain We Like You Too will receive a 300 shekel bonus for a jab, while one telecoms firm has pledged a hot meal to the needy for each employee who gets vaccinated.
This is why I had few reservations about receiving a vaccine in a foreign country: it seemed highly unlikely that I would be stealing the opportunity from an Israeli citizen at this late stage of the game.
Israel — Vaccination in the over 60s
And, to those who feel a pang of jealousy as they read this, know that I will not be enjoying the fruits of vaccine liberation for some time.
The Covid infection rate in Israel remains high, and recent data suggests that patients are not fully protected from catching or spreading the disease until a week or so after that second jab.
So, for the time being, I will be sticking to the rules along with everyone else.
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