The audit has revealed that while the majority of reports received by the Ministry of Health regarding side effects from the coronavirus vaccine were minor, such as chills and pain at the injection site, there were also significant effects that required further investigation. This included reports of menstrual disorders among women and side effects among individuals over the age of 12 who received the vaccine. Notably, the Ministry did not process and analyze all 33,000 reports received from the public regarding side effects in 2021.
The report details vaccination rates in Israel, highlighting a sharp increase in people receiving two doses of the vaccine initially. However, by November 2022, the vaccination rate had moderated, with fewer people opting for a third dose compared to the initial two doses. Additionally, there were discrepancies in vaccination rates among different demographic groups, with lower rates among certain communities.
Furthermore, an audit revealed shortcomings in the Ministry of Health’s computerized systems that failed to capture critical information from a significant number of reports of side effects from the corona vaccine. This led to an incomplete investigation of side effects and some cases not receiving adequate attention. The Ministry also faced challenges in processing reports from the public and implementing vaccination campaigns in schools.
In response to these findings, Minister of Health Yair Golan defended his handling of the epidemic by emphasizing that vaccines had saved lives and transformed COVID-19 into a preventable disease. He highlighted transparency efforts to address concerns about side effects and improve reporting systems continuously. Despite these challenges outlined in the report, Golan expressed pride in Israel’s successful vaccination campaign and efforts to protect public health.
