Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin netanyahu
Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE compared getting a COVID-19 vaccine to landing on the moon on Saturday because it received its first inoculation in the country.
“It was a small blow for a man, a huge step for everyone’s health. May this be so successful. Get out and get vaccinated! Netanyahu noted after his shooting, mimicking the words of American astronaut Neil Armstrong, Reuters reported.
In 1969, when Armstrong landed on the moon and planted his left foot on the surface, he said, “This is a small step for man, a huge leap for humanity.”
Netanyahu also referred to the book of Exodus in the Bible during his treatment, telling reporters that he offered “a strong hand and an outstretched arm” to the doctor who vaccinated him.
Israel began receiving Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine deliveries last week and will soon receive orders for Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines.
The nation projects that it will have enough doses to vaccinate nearly 20 percent of its most at-risk populations before the end of the year, according to Reuters.
Netanyahu said earlier this month that he wants to receive the first vaccine to encourage confidence in the vaccine among people in the country.
“I expect the people of Israel to vaccinate, and to make sure, I would like to serve as a personal example,” Netanyahu said at the time.
US lawmakers and leaders have also been publicly vaccinated, urging the US public to get the coronavirus vaccine when it is made available to them.
Vice President Pence received a coronavirus vaccine on live television while wearing a mask.
“We are gathering here today at the end of a historic week to tell the American people that hope is on the way,” Pence said in remarks after receiving the vaccine.
He assured the public that although health and government officials “cut red tape” to speed up the distribution of the vaccine, “they have not cut corners.”
Israel has reported nearly 372,400 cases of coronavirus and more than 3,000 coronavirus-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Reuters.