Gantz to Netanyahu: Vaccinate special ed teachers, at-risk youth

Gantz proposed relegating the task to Israel's security forces and the IDF to execute in a thorough and efficient way, especially when cases are at an all-time high.

By SARAH BEN-NUN
Benny Gantz (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Benny Gantz
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to immediately vaccinate the educational staff who care for students with special needs, as well as Israel's at-risk youth.
"The special education programs are open even during national lockdown, as they are doing an incredibly important, challenging and essential job," wrote Gantz in the letter addressed to Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein.
Gantz proposed relegating the task to Israel's security forces with the IDF to execute in a thorough and efficient way, especially when cases are at an all-time high.
"According to the data I've received," Gantz wrote, "this critical part of the vaccination campaign can commence after security forces undergo speedy training."
The government decided on Tuesday to shutter the entire educational system except for special education and at-risk programming, as part of the complete lockdown that will engulf Israel for an estimated two weeks.
So far, 1.5 million people have been vaccinated. The health funds are now focused on preparing to wind down phase one of the country’s vaccination campaign and provide medical personnel, the elderly and those with preexisting conditions their second dose of the vaccine in the coming weeks.
On Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported 8,164 new cases, with 824 in critical condition, and 207 intubated. The positivity rate is currently at 6.8%, and the death toll stands at 3,495.
"As a country, we cannot let them slip between our fingers, we can't abandon them. Vaccinating these groups must be top priority," Gantz said.
Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman contributed to this report.