The first batch of Pfizer's new coronavirus vaccine arrived in Israel on Wednesday morning, a day earlier than originally planned.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein were at Ben-Gurion Airport to receive the shipment of vaccines. Netanyahu said he would be the first person in Israel to receive the vaccine.
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The DHL flight carrying Pfizer vaccines arrives at Ben-Gurion Airport
(Photo: Shmulik Dodfor )
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech last month agreed to provide Israel with 8 million doses of the vaccine. Sources said a United Airlines from Brussels organized by the international courier company DHL and carrying over thousands of doses landed at Ben-Gurion Airport around 9am.
"It is important to me that the citizens of Israel get vaccinated and I believe in leading by example so I want to be an example and I will be the first person to be vaccinated in the State of Israel," Netanyahu said.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands in front of the cargo plane carrying vaccines
"I have served as the prime minister for quite a few years and this is one of the most exciting moments, which I've worked hard on for many months with the health minister and his office, to bring the cure for the coronavirus pandemic."
Upon landing, the doses were to be immediately transferred to an special storage facility managed by Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva. The vaccine needs to be stored at -70°C, requiring special storage facilities.
Another cargo plane carrying a much larger batch of the treatment is set to arrive in Israel on Thursday afternoon, with a million more to arrive next week.
Israelis choosing to get vaccinated will reportedly receive benefits from the government, such as an exemption from the requirement to isolate upon returning from abroad or being exposed to a confirmed coronavirus carrier.
The Health Ministry said Wednesday that 1,719 people had tested positive for coronavirus the day before, showing a 2.5% infection rate after 69,778 tests were conducted. There are 310 people hospitalized in serious condition, with 113 on ventilators.
Since the start of the pandemic, 2,932 people in Israel have lost their lives due to complications related to the virus.
Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, on Tuesday became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine outside of a trial as Britain began vaccinating its population.
First published: 08:17, 12.09.20