A source familiar with the details of the vaccine deals told Israel Today that "the Ministry of Health is creating disinformation due to political tensions" • He clarified: "We have extras"
There is no shortage of vaccine doses in Israel, and according to the agreements that have already been signed, there is also enough stock to vaccinate children aged 12-16 when they are approved, the source familiar with the details of the vaccination purchase told Israel Today.
The same source also said that the discussion on government procurement agreements does not deal with the current stock of vaccines, but with future agreements for 2022 onwards that are necessary if it turns out that it is necessary to vaccinate in a third dose, and that "all claims are not in the warehouses." White - there are enough vaccines and there are extras. "
The same source also referred to the vaccine purchase deal and noted that "the amount of vaccines they will purchase that has been brought for approval is excessive."
The decision supported by the prime minister states that although it is currently not certain that a third vaccine will be required as a "boost", Israel will purchase enough vaccines to vaccinate the entire population as a security measure and such a quantity will be purchased not only from one company but from several companies.
It should be noted that according to previous publications, and reports submitted to the Finance Committee, it appears that Israel has already purchased 27 million vaccine doses from three companies and used only 10 million of them.
This means that there is a large stock of vaccines - which contradicts the Ministry of Health's announcement earlier today (Tuesday) that additional vaccines need to be purchased in order to deal with the possibility of additional viruses for future vaccination, when approved, of children over 12 years of age.
The source interviewed by "Israel Today" also referred to the confidentiality clauses in the agreement with Pfizer related to the public coffers and criticized it: "Under the issues agreements, important clauses are also intended to protect public money - including the possibility of canceling the deal if necessary? "The supply of vaccines? And can Israel sell surplus vaccines? All of these are conducted without public discussion or transparency," the same source said.
Ministry of Health: "There are not enough doses to vaccinate children from the age of 12"
Earlier today, the Ministry of Health issued a statement contradicting this position and declared that there are not enough vaccines for children over the age of 12.
The ministry said in a statement: "Following false reports about the amounts of vaccines available in Israel, we seek to clarify, while maintaining Israel's confidentiality agreements with vaccine companies, that Israel has inventory only for the current vaccine round. There is an important need to purchase millions of additional vaccines to prepare for various scenarios. Impulse dose, vaccination of children over the age of 12 (after the studies and the FDA approve it), as well as the provision of vaccines that are resistant to variants that may arrive. "
It should be noted that in recent days political pressure has been exerted to persuade the B'Tselem and blue-and-white chairman Bnei Gantz to hold a cabinet meeting on additional vaccine purchases - after Gantz canceled his participation in the meeting due to a dispute with Netanyahu over the appointment of a permanent justice minister.
Two days ago, the Blue and White Party announced the cancellation of a cabinet meeting scheduled for the next day, in light of "the Likud bloc and Netanyahu's refusal to approve a permanent appointment of a justice minister at the cabinet meeting, which would harm the rule of law and democracy."
Following the announcement, Finance Minister Israel Katz wrote a letter to Defense Minister Bnei Gantz requesting that the meeting be held: "The detailed proposal to purchase the vaccines he submitted for government approval was prepared by the professional echelons of the Ministries of Health and Finance after lengthy discussions." ", Reads the announcement.
"If the proposal is not approved, there is a fear that the State of Israel will lose its ability to purchase vaccines for the rest of the year and for next year, including the ability to vaccinate children after the trials and approval by the competent authorities. The management of health and economy must be cut off. There will be, "Minister Katz added.
The Likud said in response to the postponement of the cabinet meeting: "An unbelievable scandal. For appointments and jobs, Gantz is preventing the signing of contracts for the millions of vaccines required of Israeli citizens in preparation for the next vaccine. Acting irresponsibly, endangering the safety and health of all Israeli citizens. "
A source close to Gantz told Israel Today yesterday in response to an attack on the Likud: "A criminal accused of trying to silence the judiciary and intimidate it is a danger to Israeli democracy and thus fight. Regarding the government's decision - it is full of guys and its urgency is unclear. When there are surpluses in the existing boxes. "