The Israel Prisons Service said on Jan. 17 it will begin vaccinating all inmates this week, including Palestinians. A statement issued by the IPS said, “Following the vaccination of staff … the vaccination of detainees will begin in prisons in accordance with medical and operational protocols established by the Prison Service.” According to several publications yesterday, vaccination of prisoners aged 60 and older is rolling out.
The IPS announcement came three days after Health Minister Yuli Edelstein pledged to start vaccinating all prisoners the following week, including Palestinian security detainees. Edelstein stated, “We adhere to all of the priority committee’s guidelines,” explaining that the inmates will be vaccinated according to the national vaccination priorities set by his ministry: starting with the elderly and vulnerable.