Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel is on track to complete the vaccination of all eligible people by the end of March and restart all economic activity in April.



Israelis began receiving the new crown vaccine in December, developed in a joint venture between Pfizer Inc of the United States and Germany's Biotech Nueneux.


In Israel, which has a population of more than 9 million, more than 4.5 million people have received at least one dose of Pfizer's new crown vaccine so far.


Mr. Netanyahu told reporters in Tel Aviv that by the end of March, all Israelis of eligible age, those over the age of 16, would have been vaccinated against the new crown. Restrictions on epidemic prevention will be gradually lifted in the future, and all economic activities are expected to resume fully by the end of April.

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According to Netanyahu, the Israeli government's goal is to vaccinate at least 6.2 million people against the new crown vaccine.


Israel has recently opened restaurants, fitness facilities and other venues. To make it easier for people to travel and encourage more people to get vaccinated, the government launched a "green pass" system on Tuesday. Those who have been vaccinated can register for a "green pass" via a mobile app, which allows them free access to public places such as restaurants, shopping malls, cinemas and gyms. Xinguan rehabilitators can also get a "green pass".


The Israeli Government intends to lift the existing anti-epidemic restrictions step by step. At the present stage, "green pass" is issued; The next phase, in which educational institutions are expected to be fully open, begins in mid-March; Vaccination of all adults is expected to be completed by the end of March; Beginning in April, Israelis are expected to return to normal life.


[Push vaccination]


Israel has been one of the first and fastest countries to launch the new vaccine. But the pace of vaccination has slowed recently because young people are not motivated.


In an effort to promote vaccination, Israel's parliament voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would allow government agencies to share the identities of unvaccinated people.


The law gives local governments, the Ministry of Education and other government agencies the right to obtain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of unvaccinated citizens, allowing their staff to urge them to get vaccinated.

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Israel has so far recorded more than 760,000 new confirmed cases and more than 5,600 deaths.


Netanyahu said Thursday that the Israeli government is negotiating with two major foreign pharmaceutical companies to set up factories to "make Israel part of the global vaccine supply chain."


He said U.S. company Modena is expected to set up a plant in Israel to make vaccine vials, and Pfizer is expected to set up a research and development center in Israel.


Analysts believe that Netanyahu is hoping for a quick vaccination to boost the economy, which has been hit by the epidemic, and "points" to win re-election. Israel is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on March 23, with Netanyahu seeking a second term as prime minister as leader of his Likud party.