Health expert points to 4 key aspects of Israel’s successful vaccination program

A health expert on Wednesday identified transparency, data collection, infrastructure, and no waste policy as the four key aspects that led to the success of Israel’s inoculation campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to an episode on “Need to Know,” Israel’s transactions with manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines were transparent, with the government uploading its agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech on the internet.

The prices of the vaccines were also made public.

“Alam nila na kung kailangan mo mag-procure ng vaccine, kailangan ihahanda mo na lahat pati ‘yung mga dokumento mo. That is just preparation,” former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said.

Bloomberg data showed that 86 doses of vaccines were administered per 100 Israel residents, a figure higher than the United Kingdom with 28.31 doses and the United States with 20.02 doses.

At present, the government of Israel has also given 35.3 percent of its population vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna.

“And it was in keeping with their own way, their organized way of addressing the pandemic na planning ahead. Just part of the process of good governance,” he added.

In contrast, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. got the flak for his adamant non-disclosure of the cost of each brand of COVID-19 vaccine that the government is hoping to buy, due to supposed existing confidentiality agreements.

Another key aspect is data collection.

Part of the agreement Israel made with manufacturers was to share collected data such as infection and vaccination numbers, age, and gender.

Due to this, manufacturers agreed to supply Israel with COVID-19 vaccines until 95 percent of its population has been vaccinated.

“Importanteng-importante ‘yan kasi ang ginawa ng Israel government, binigyan nila ng incentive ‘yung Pfizer para bigyan sila ng vaccine. Kasi agawan ng vaccine,” Dayrit said.

“Eh, nung inoffer ng Israel na bibigyan namin kayo ng datos, eh di pumayag agad ‘yung Pfizer,” he added.

The third key aspect is infrastructure. Israel residents may enroll in one out of four health maintenance organizations in the country.

Under its universal healthcare system, each resident has a digital record. Through this digital record, the government can update and monitor the vaccinated individuals easier.

“Alam nila kung nasaan ang mga citizens nila, eh, nakalista na. So ‘yung kanilang registration, automatic na. Andoon na sa mga databases nila. Kasama na diyan ‘yung kanilang ibang medical histories,” he said.

“Organisadong-organisado sila. Plantsado na ‘yung sistema nila. Tatanggapin na lang nila ‘yung vaccine tapos puwede na silang magpalakad ng kanilang vaccination campaign,” he added.

The last key aspect is Israel’s no waste policy.

Though Israel prioritizes senior citizens and healthcare workers, doses of COVID-19 vaccines that are not used each day may be given to individuals not included in the list.

Due to this, Israel's data showed that after the vaccination drive started, the country has reported lower COVID-19 cases as well as lower severe cases of the illness.

On Sunday, the Philippines received 600,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac Biotech.

Several hospitals on Wednesday began vaccinating their personnel against the COVID-19 with Sinovac’s vaccine.

The Philippines has reported a total of 582,223 cases, of which 534,778 have recovered and 12,389 have died.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News