Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I Will Be Vaccinated First"... Strongmen Reluctant to Get Vaccinated

President-elect Biden Expected to Receive Vaccination Next Week
Trump, Putin, Bolsonaro, and Others All Reluctant to Get Vaccinated

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As COVID-19 vaccinations are expected to begin around the year-end and New Year holidays in major countries worldwide, led by the United States and Europe, the vaccination status of national leaders is also drawing attention. While some leaders have announced plans to receive vaccinations publicly to quell public distrust of the vaccine, others, like President Donald Trump, are reluctant to get vaccinated themselves.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 17th (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently in quarantine due to contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, plans to receive the vaccine for the first time in Israel on the afternoon of the 19th. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated, "Netanyahu tested negative for COVID-19 on the 13th and will remain in quarantine until the 18th," suggesting that his vaccination on the 19th is likely. According to local Israeli media such as the Times of Israel (TOI), the Israeli government is scheduled to start COVID-19 vaccinations from that day, administering vaccines first to medical personnel and priority groups, with general public vaccinations planned to begin on the 23rd.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo also stated earlier that he would be the first to receive the vaccine once vaccinations begin. Indonesia has decided or is in the process of procuring vaccines produced by China's Sinovac and Sinopharm, the UK's AstraZeneca, and the US's Pfizer and Moderna, reportedly securing about 338 million doses so far. Among these, the initial shipment of 1.2 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine is expected to arrive first, with vaccinations planned to start next month as soon as emergency approval is granted. President Joko Widodo emphasized, "I will be the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine," adding, "This will show the public that the vaccine is safe."

President-elect Joe Biden is also expected to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as early as next week. He has repeatedly mentioned that he will get vaccinated publicly to alleviate public distrust of the vaccine. According to CNN, at an event on the 16th, Biden said, "I don’t want to jump the line to get vaccinated," but added, "I want to show Americans that it is safe to get vaccinated, and I will do so publicly."

On the other hand, the timing of President Donald Trump's vaccination remains unclear. According to The Washington Post (WP), White House officials have indicated that he is unlikely to get vaccinated unless recommended by White House medical staff. Instead, Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to receive the vaccine at the White House on the 18th. Pence's vaccination will be broadcast live nationwide on TV cameras.

Figures close to President Trump, known internationally as 'strongmen' due to their authoritarian rule, are mostly reluctant to get vaccinated. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president and a representative strongman, revealed on the 17th that he has not yet received the 'Sputnik V' COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed by Russian experts and is currently being administered to the public. According to TASS News Agency, Putin said he is not in the recommended age group for vaccination but added, "I am listening to the experts' advice and will definitely get vaccinated when possible."

Jair Bolsonaro, the Brazilian president known as the 'Trump of South America,' has stated that he will not get vaccinated at all. In an interview with Brazilian local media on the 15th, he said, "Whether COVID-19 threatens my life is my problem," and "I will not get the COVID-19 vaccine." Bolsonaro had previously downplayed the severity of COVID-19, calling it a "mild flu," but changed his stance on the 16th, saying, "COVID-19 has troubled us from the beginning." Bolsonaro had been confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 twice before and had undergone quarantine measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.