Israel Approaching Herd Immunity... Netanyahu's Reelection Prospects Brighten

Over 80% Received First Dose... 32% Fully Vaccinated
Netanyahu, on Trial for Bribery Charges, Sees Support Rise

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Israel's COVID-19 vaccination rate for at least one dose surpasses 80%, making herd immunity visible, it is reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chances of re-election are increasing. The vaccine effectiveness announced by the Israeli Ministry of Health has also exceeded 95%, and the actual number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has significantly dropped from around 15,000 at the end of last month to about 2,500.

According to major foreign media such as AFP on the 21st (local time), the Israeli Ministry of Health announced that the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine for those who completed two doses from December 20 last year to the 13th of this month reached 95.8%. According to the COVID-19 vaccination tally by Johns Hopkins University in the United States, the number of Israelis who received two or more vaccine doses is 2,881,825, accounting for 32.4% of the approximately 9 million population nationwide.

Israel is expected to soon achieve herd immunity with over 70% of the population having virus antibodies. Applying the 85% immunity effect for those who received at least one Pfizer vaccine dose, as announced earlier by the Israeli government, herd immunity is expected to form if 95% of the population is vaccinated, and Israel's one-dose vaccination rate has already exceeded 80%. Previously, Our World in Data from Oxford University's Martin School reported Israel's one-dose vaccination rate at 82.4%, the highest in the world.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The spread of COVID-19 in Israel has also significantly slowed down. On the 25th of last month, the daily confirmed cases in Israel surged to 15,937, but by the 19th, it had decreased to 2,579, falling into the 2,500 range. According to CNN, Israel lifted lockdown orders for those who completed vaccination, and as most citizens received at least one dose, lockdown measures were lifted in most cities, leading to economic normalization.

Accordingly, the chances of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is on trial for bribery and fraud charges, being re-elected are also reported to be increasing. The Associated Press reported, "The Israeli government is evaluated to have enabled rapid vaccination by providing a package that includes free vaccines along with free food and coffee," and "As Netanyahu emphasizes the vaccination achievements and economic reopening begins, his chances of re-election are rising." Israel is scheduled to hold general elections on the 23rd of next month.

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