Israel's health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were overwhelmed Thursday after several clinics announced that people over 60 and at-risk groups can phone an for an appointment to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
Maccabi's appointment hotline crashed and had to go into maintenance.
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A dummy of a coronavirus vaccine used by health workers to practice vaccination
(Photo: TPS)
From Friday, Israelis insured with Clalit HMO could book an appointment to get vaccinated once they start offering the service Monday.
Those insured with Maccabi and Meuhedet could book an appointment starting Thursday, with the vaccination set to start Monday.
Leumit HMO will begin offering appointment booking Sunday, with vaccinations set to begin Wednesday.
The Health Ministry on Wednesday published a list of those who will be inoculated first, with health workers appearing to get the top priority. The first to receive the vaccines will be members of the medical staff at hospitals followed by HMOs and private health clinics.
The first vaccination centers will be located in major cities, with facilities for smaller communities set to open within 10 days afterward.
On Saturday evening and in order to reassure the public, President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF chief of staff Lt. Col. Aviv Kochavi will become the first Israelis to receive the shot.
By the end of December, or the beginning of next year at the latest, the rest of the nation will join in the immunization efforts.
First published: 20:34, 12.17.20