A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in a gymnasium in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva, on February 1, 2021.AFP
A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in a gymnasium in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva, on February 1, 2021.AFP
A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in a gymnasium in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva, on February 1, 2021.AFP
A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in a gymnasium in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva, on February 1, 2021.AFP

Israeli scientist says Covid-19 vaccine campaign is working: 'the magic has started'


Leila Gharagozlou
  • English
  • Arabic

A scientist and health expert at Israel's Weizmann Institute is optimistic about the country's strategy of mass inoculation after analysing the latest Covid-19 case data.

"We say with caution, the magic has started," Eran Segal said on Twitter on Tuesday, looking at data compiled by his institute and analysts from the University of Tel Aviv.

If the positive indications hold up in the coming days and weeks, it could be hugely significant for the many countries now pursuing mass vaccination as a key pillar of their anti-Covid-19 strategy.

There were fears that new, rapidly spreading strains could complicate vaccination efforts.

Israel worked quickly to vaccinate its population and has already inoculated nearly 30 per cent of its citizens, but remains in the midst of its worst wave of the virus yet.

The Israeli Health Ministry recorded 2,596 new infections and 23 fatalities on Sunday, with about 1,162 of those being critically ill patients.

Despite that, the data compiled by the Weizmann Institute shows an optimistic picture for the future.

According to Mr Segal's data, in groups with high numbers of vaccinations, such as those over 60, there has been a 35 per cent drop in confirmed cases, a 30 per cent decrease in hospital admissions, and 20 per cent drop in critically ill cases.

Mr Segal pointed out that the patterns were not observed in the previous lockdown.

In fact, he said, this was a bigger drop than had been seen during previous lockdowns and is a bigger drop than that seen among young people – most of whom are unvaccinated.

Analysing the data further, Mr Segal had more tentative good news – in cities that vaccinated earlier there was an even bigger drop in numbers.

Although Israel may be one of the first nations to show vaccine effectiveness, it is still facing significant pushback from those who are hesitant about receiving the vaccine, possibly hampering its ability to reach the vaccination goal of 5.5 million people – the entire population.

The current programme also does not extend to the approximately 5.2 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In those areas, local authorities are largely co-ordinating their own programmes. To aid the efforts, Israel has agreed to transfer 5,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine to the Palestinians to immunise frontline medical workers.

Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PSG's line up

GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)

Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)

Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)

Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)

Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km