Swine flu: 14 MKs, 2 ministers inoculated
Three weeks after start of drive to vaccinate all residents, campaign reaches Knesset; 75 inoculated but not Netanyahu. MK Adato: What message does that give public?
The campaign to inoculate the entire population against swine flu began three weeks ago, but only came to the Knesset on Monday.
Two weeks ago, Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) was inoculated in front of the cameras, and on Monday a number of his colleagues did the same: 75 people were inoculated including 14 Knesset members and two ministers, though it is thought that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has still not received the vaccination.
MK Dr. Rachel Adatto (Kadima) was among those who did not receive the vaccination. "I already had flu," she told Ynet, "and according to checks by a doctor specializing in this field I didn't need vaccination, even though the Ministry of Health also called on those who had flu already to be inoculated.
"There's a feeling that this is just a way of getting people to take more vaccinations," she continued. "I'm not sure that the decision is based on medical grounds alone, or perhaps the idea is to use up the huge stocks of vaccines. Worst of all, in my opinion, is that the prime minister, who pushed to buy seven million shots and called on everyone to get themselves vaccinated, hasn't done so himself. What kind of message does this send?"
MK Prof. Arieh Eldad (National Union) was among those who decided to get inoculated. "I think it's necessary," he said, "and I believe it's important for public health."
MK Danny Danon gets the shot (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
"The response to the call was as expected," said Zohar Lomar, a MDA paramedic in Jerusalem. "By the evening we had vaccinated 75 people.
Another paramedic, Israel Cohen, said that the low turnout may have something to do with the way the campaign was handled. "They might be putting off getting the shot because they know we'll be here tomorrow and the following day," he said.
Lomer added that he was surprised to discover the demand for the vaccination containing adjuvant. "I estimate that 85% got the shot that contains adjuvant. I thought that with all the press reports, people would prefer the shot without."
The Knesset inoculations, Lomer said, were part of a general initiative to vaccinate at places of work.
Amnon Meranda contributed to this report
