Nathan Jeffay is The Times of Israel s health and science correspondent
Seniors are vaccinated against COVID-19 at a New York State vaccination site in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, January 13, 2021, in New York. (AP/Mary Altaffer)
A Jewish group backed by the Israeli government is launching an initiative seeking to provide Holocaust survivors around the world with COVID-19 vaccines, but some are asking whether the plan is practical or even ethical.
While most of Israel’s elderly population is receiving vaccines, in many other countries people are gearing up for long waits, and the Shalom Corps humanitarian nonprofit is working on a plan to source vaccines for over 100,000 Diaspora-based survivors and administer them.
Israel explores plan to provide free vaccines to Holocaust survivors worldwide
Israel explores plan to provide free vaccines to Holocaust survivors worldwide
“It is our collective obligation to safeguard this treasured yet vulnerable population in the spirit of mutual responsibility,” says Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer Yankelevich.
By Erin Ben-Moche
Holocaust survivor Shimon Mira gets a COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Jerusalem on Jan. 6, 2021. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
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(January 13, 2021 / Jewish Journal)
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer Yankelevich announced on Tuesday the launch of an extensive operation to vaccinate Holocaust survivors around the world against COVID-19.
01-13-2021
JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel is leading the world in vaccinating its citizens against the coronavirus, but it also seeks to help some of the most vulnerable men and women in Jewish communities around the world – Holocaust survivors.
Israel Hayom reports that Israeli officials in the Diaspora Affairs Ministry and Health Ministry are coordinating with the Shalom Corps organization to set up vaccine centers for Holocaust survivors living outside of Israel. Those who are unable to go to a vaccine center will have the vaccine brought to them.
The campaign is in its infancy stage, but Shalom Corps has already approached several large medical shipping companies to hopefully bring the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine to Holocaust survivors.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer Yankelevich envisages using international corps of young Jewish volunteers to distribute the vaccines, blindsiding the Agency that co-owns the corps with the ministry
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Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer Yankelevitch signs the Our Common Destiny Declaration (Courtesy Ministry of Diaspora Affairs)
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