Israel’s coronavirus vaccination rate has slowed, leading the Health Ministry to open up the nationwide inoculation operation to all ages over 16, even though a significant number of the at-risk 60-plus population has yet to receive a jab. One of the main reasons for the vaccination slowdown is a fearmongering campaign mounted by vaccination opponents, mostly targeting the ultra-Orthodox, Arab and Bedouin minorities.

Israel has led the world in vaccinating its residents by virtue of exclusive agreements with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology pioneers Pfizer and Moderna. Reportedly, the contracts promised as many doses as Israel needs in the fastest possible time — in return for real time data about their effects on the inoculated population. As of Feb. 7, more than 3.3 million Israelis — 37% of the population — had received the first dose and over 2 million the second shot, making them almost completely immune to the virus, at least in its original version. In addition, almost 700,000 Israelis are known to have contracted the virus, meaning they have developed a natural immunity to it.

At its peak some 10 days ago, according to Health Ministry data, the vaccination rate exceeded 200,000 a week; last week it slowed to an average of 130,000. The slowest rate has been recorded among the Arab minority, which comprises 21% of Israel's population, with the lowest number of vaccinated being the members of the Bedouin community. Among the 30 towns and villages with the least vaccinated residents, 23 are Bedouin, two Arab and five Jewish ultra-Orthodox.

Access is the main reason for the low rate of inoculation among the Bedouins, many of whose villages do not have medical clinics and/or sufficient infrastructure of roads, power and water to enable vaccination programs. The low vaccination rate is also being driven by the high degree of fake news about the inoculations that is deterring many in Arab society.