Zev Chafets, Columnist

Why Israel Was the Perfect Test Case for Vaccines

Its small size and efficient health care system made distribution a cinch. Now Benjamin Netanyahu must also vaccinate the Palestinian people.

January 11, 2021 at 10:21 AM UTC

By Zev Chafets

Zev Chafets is a journalist and author of 14 books. He was a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and the founding managing editor of the Jerusalem Report Magazine.

Rapid rollout.
Photographer: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg

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In just 21 days, Israel had inoculated 20% of its 9.3 million citizens and permanent residents and, even more significantly, 70% of its initial target group — medical personnel and people over 60 of age.

These are astounding figures. The U.S. has managed to inoculate about 2% of its population. Germany, Italy and France have yet to reach 1% percent.