Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Health Minister Yuli Edelstein on Tuesday evening, regarding the new agreement between Israel and the two COVID -19 vaccine companies, Pfizer and Moderna.
Netanyahu signed an agreement with Pfizer and Moderna to purchase an additional 16 million vaccines for Israeli citizens on Monday.
“The State of Israel is in the lead over all the countries in the world in terms of vaccination. There are countries that are improving but there is no basis for comparison. You see it outside, everything is open, you can enjoy life,” Edelstein excitedly announced, regarding Israel’s successful investment in the vaccines.
Netanyahu explained that the purchase was necessary because, “we are preparing for another vaccination campaign in about six months, so prepare the shoulders and also the children because we estimate that by then there will be approved vaccines for children.”
However, the prime minister also mentioned that political obstacles prevented the purchase of the vaccines earlier.
Edelstein also expressed his frustration over those who tried to delay the purchase of the vaccines, saying “instead of calling me and saying ‘sorry sir, we were wrong,’ they say they prevented waste.”
Defense Minister Benny Gantz responded to Edelstein’s complaint by stating that delaying the vaccines saved billions of shekels.
“Netanyahu and all his accomplices continue to prove that the most important thing is his trial, and for him he was willing to sacrifice human lives for his method as well,” Gantz added.