Or Yehuda, Israel (January 7, 2021) — Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical and blood-service organization, reported today (Thursday) that it has completed the first round of vaccinations in all of the country’s nursing home and elder-care facilities, making Israel the first country in the world to provide phase 1 vaccinations to all its nursing home patients.
Next week, the second round of vaccinations will begin, during which residents and employees will receive the second and final dose.
The coronavirus vaccination drive for nursing home and extended-care facility patients began December 22 and today finished vaccinating the nation’s 150,000 nursing-home residents.
MDA teams with extensive experience with elderly populations have undergone special training in preparation for the vaccination program.
“This is an important day when the elderly, parents, grandparents — people who are in a high-risk group and a top priority in terms of vaccination — receive the first vaccine,” said Eli Bin, Magen David Adom’s director-general. “[This group] is about to receive the second vaccine within 10 days, after which they will be [fully] vaccinated and protected.
“With dedication, professionalism, and speed, Israel is at the forefront of the vaccinating countries and a leader in the field the world over, and I sincerely hope that soon the vaccination program will expand to the entire population,” he added. “Together we will defeat the coronavirus and return to our daily routine. Magen David Adom, as the national rescue organization, will continue to be at the forefront of the fight against the spread of coronavirus.”
