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The president was briefed by the CEO of Barzilai Medical Center Prof. Yaniv Sherer on the work of the medical teams during the coronavirus crisis, particularly since the beginning of the vaccination program, as well as updated figures on the spread of the disease. Accompanied by the hospital’s management and director of nursing Dr. Nurit Zusman, the president congratulated Elad, the first volunteer to receive the BriLife Israeli vaccine developed by the Biological Institute. Elad received the vaccine from Nurse Michal Greenblat as part of the phase II trial.

The final preparations are now being completed, and this week the first five volunteers to participate in the phase II trial of the Israeli vaccine will come to Barzilai. So far 350 potential volunteers have registered, and once the preliminary round of tests is complete and the start of the process is approved, phase II of the trial will commence, including in parts of society where the outbreak is relatively high.

The president spoke with the doctors about the different viewpoints presented by the health system regarding and warned of the damage to public trust when internal disagreements are played out in public. He noted that the official health system should present a unified standpoint to the public regarding vaccinations and that, as a society, we believe in the policymakers and we must not endanger this asset by confusing the public.

“For the most part, the Israeli public tends to listen to the experts and not to argue because if we don’t trust our experts, what then? We were asked to take the vaccine in two doses, and it was explained to us that both are essential to strengthen the immune system. And then, as the system is implementing the system that it announced, the public is told that perhaps everyone should get the first does even at the expense of giving a second dose. And so the public is confused, and when the public is confused, it starts not to believe. We have a wonderful characteristic as a society: we trust – and with good reason – our experts, because so far, they have proved to us that they are excellent and because they protect us. If we get to the point where the system is telling us something new every day, the public will ask itself ‘if they are arguing amongst themselves, how do they expect us to believe them?’”

The president then spoke about the spread of the disease, saying “Recent months, under the shadow of the corona crisis, have shown us something about the human capacity to adapt and develop under tough conditions. In just a few months, in an unprecedented way, humanity has succeeded in developing a vaccine for the virus that has paralyzed our lives and caused the deaths of so many around the world. Modern science has proved once again that it can improve not only the quality of our lives, but also save life itself. This principle, of invention and innovation as a response to existential needs, is not unfamiliar to us, to a people that has had to reinvent itself time after time in the face of persecution and discrimination, few against many.”

The president added, “We Israelis do not know how to wait, doing nothing, until someone saves us. We are a people of innovation, that girds its loins and attacks the problems before us. Not only because we are a special people, but because we simply have no option. We have no choice but to work together, to find the solution to every crisis. We have no choice but to improve the systems and mechanisms that make us world champions in confronting problems. Over the years, we have developed our skills and invested in research and development, and that investment has always paid off. Now, too, we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to aim high, to excel and to lead.”

The president spoke about the importance of the Biological Institute’s Israeli vaccine, saying “The Israeli vaccine developed by the Biological Institute is not just a way of protecting ourselves from the virus. It is also our way of continuing to develop and improve our innovation and development mechanisms. More than once, during this crisis, we have found that this virus is unpredictable and adaptable, so that continued research and development, here at home, blue-and-white, is of strategic value. Scientific and biological independence is a strategic asset. I hope that, despite there being vaccines already available, the Biological Institute will continue to develop its product and that perhaps it will bring good news and give us all great Israeli pride in the fight against corona, and against viruses in general.”
The president concluded his remarks by thanking Barzilai Medical Center, the medical teams, doctors and nurses and the technical staff for doing their important work around the clock.

CEO of Barzilai Medical Center Prof. Yaniv Sherer, who escorted the president on his visit, presented its new wards and its standard of excellence which is seen in the significant improvement in the quality standards of Barzilai, saying “I welcome President Rivlin on his visit to Barzilai Medical Center and thank him for his warm words and the support he has given to the heroes of our medical teams – doctors, nurses, administrators and health professionals – the Barzilai family as a whole. Barzilai Medical Center is in an unprecedented phase of growth and is implementing a strategic plan that includes the upgrade of all medical services, improvement in patient experience and incorporating new and advanced medical services. The Israeli coronavirus vaccine – the work of the Biological Institute – is vitally important for the future resilience of the Israeli people. Today, we successfully started phase II of the trial, and I am happy that the president was part of this important moment.”