MDA Begins Vaccination Drive in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
On Tuesday (22.24) Magen David Adom began the vaccination drive as part of the "Magen Avot V’Imahot" program in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Yesterday morning, MDA teams arrived at the "Migdalei HaYam HaTichon" in Ganei Tikva, and during the first day vaccindated 1,000 residents and employee. The project will reach all nursing homes and assisted livings throughout the country.
The first vaccine was given yesterday to David Kochav at Migdalei HaYam HaTichon and was performed by Magen David Adom paramedic Irene Hadad, in the presence of Health Minister Yuli (Yoel) Edelstein, Minister of Welfare Itzik Shmuli, CEO of Migdalei HaYam HaTichon Doron Arnon, MDA Director General Eli Bin and other distinguished guests.
During the vaccination, David Kochav said: "I thank everyone who protects and helps us. The vaccine is absolutely essential, and those who do not get vaccinated are committing a sin and harming our solidarity in Israel."
MDA teams have extensive experience with the elderly population and the after the Ministry of Health gave MDA the responsibility of vaccinating the residents and employees in nursing homes and assisted livings across the country, MDA presented Magen Avot V'Imahot director Prof. Nimrod Maimon with a plan to implement the program. MDA teams have been specially trained to carry out the task with the utmost professionalism with the goal of vaccinating 10,000 people a day.
Minister of Health Yuli (Yoel) Edelstein: "David Kochav is perhaps the first person in the world to be vaccinated in an assisted living and this is a very exciting title. I would like to thank our partners at MDA who have begun this operation throughout the country. After ten months of a pandemic which effected us all, it is exciting to see the vaccination begin. We hope that a large part of the at-risk population will have their risk lowered thanks to the vaccine. You still have to be careful and take responsibility so that we don’t take steps back right at the end."
Minister of Labor, Welfare and Social Services, Itzik Shmuli: " This is an exciting morning. The elderly population is at the highest risk during the coronavirus pandemic and this morning brings light and optimism. I want to thank the Minister of Health, MDA and the Migdalei HaYam HaTichon. This population is very dear to our hearts and it is very important to keep them safe."
Prof. Nimrod Maimon, director of Magen Avot V'Imahot: "The vaccination program begins today and it is very exciting. I am sure that this will save lives. Magen David Adom has been a partner of the program since the beginning with taking samples with the utmost sensitivity and professionalism, and they will continue to do so with the vaccination as well. I am glad we are continuing our cooperation towards the end of the pandemic. We hope that in the coming weeks there will be no more outbreaks and I call on everyone to be vaccinated."
Migdalei HaYam HaTichon, CEO Doron Arnon: “This is a very exciting day. We are at the end of an extraordinary event, during which we made sure to keep our tenants routine on the one hand while on the other hand fighting for their lives. I would like to thank the Ministry of Health, Welfare and the MDA organization for successfully running the Magen Avot and V’Imahot project and for continuing to use vaccines. "
MDA Director General Eli Bin: "I would like to say a big thank you to the Minister of Health, who gave us the confidence and entrusted us with the task of vaccinations for the elderly. We will meet this task with great success. The Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health have brought a huge achievement to the country. The beginning of the vaccination campaign for the elderly and made nursing homes a top priority. MDA started the drive with an expedited procedure for the elderly and we welcome this move. We will do everything to ensure that the State of Israel is vaccinated in the shortest possible time, in the highest quality and most professional procedure. "
