TEL HASHOMER, Israel (Reuters) - Israel kicked off a coronavirus vaccination drive on Saturday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invoking the Bible and the 1969 lunar landing as he got the country's first injection.
Shipments of the Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) vaccines began arriving in Israel last week. Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines are on order. Israel expects to have enough doses by the year's end for the 20% of its population most prone to COVID-19 complications.
With polls finding that around two-third of Israelis intend to get vaccinated, officials have sought to stave off what they deem "fake news" about possibly perilous side-effects.
Netanyahu said he was being vaccinated first in order to encourage others. Doffing his suit jacket and rolling up a sleeve, he told reporters his was "a strong hand and an outstretched arm" - a play on the Book of Exodus' description of God's power.
With the procedure at Sheba Medical Center over, Netanyahu paraphrased astronaut Neil Armstrong's first words on the moon:
"That was a small jab for a man, a huge step for the health of us all. May this be this successful. Go out and get vaccinated!"
Israel, with a population of 9 million, has reported 372,401 coronavirus cases and 3,070 deaths. It has imposed two national lockdowns and may soon order curbs on high-contagion areas. Netanyahu has self-isolated three times after exposure to carriers.