Covid-19 & Vaccinations among Arabs in Israel MOHAMMAD KHATIB, MPH, PHD THE GALILEE SOCIETY “RIKAZ ” THE CENTER FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH Percentage of Arab vaccinated citizens (%) First Dose Second Dose 20 17.57 18 16 14 12 10 8.38 8 6 4 2 0 Second Dose First Dose Percentage of Arab vaccinated citizens above 60 years (%) First Dose Second Dose 60.00% 56.10% 50.00% 38.30% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Second Dose First Dose Percentage of Arab vaccinated citizens in main cities (%) 10.20% Rahat South 14.40% Kalansawa 15.70% Taibah 16.70% Kfar Kasem Triangle (Cener) 17.40% Um El Fahem 19.90% Tirah 20.10% Arabah 22.00% Nazareth 23.70% Kanna Bakah El Garbia 23.90% North 26.50% Shefaamr 26.80% Tamra 27.50% Daliat El Karmel 29.80% Sakhnin 35.00% 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00% Numbers of Arab vaccinated citizens by region (N) 234,341 250,000 200,000 166,705 150,000 111,695 100,000 77,809 51,784 50,000 26,440 13,112 6,243 0 Total North Triangle South 1st dose 2nd dose Percentage of Arab vaccinated citizens by region (%) 25.00% 22.30% 18.70% 20.00% 17.57% 15.00% 10.41% 9.22% 8.38% 10.00% 4.57% 5.00% 2.18% 0.00% Total North Triangle South 1st dose 2nd dose What’s behind the numbers? 1. Gaps between the Arab population and the general Israeli population. 2. Differences within the Arab population. 3. The Arab population is not a homogeneous group. 4. Behind the numbers there is an information and services systems that needs to be re-examined. challenges of reaching Arab citizens with the vaccine . Physical Access – Health service and clinics . the delay & loss of time . Digital Access – apps and language of apps . Low health and digital literacy . Fear and misinformation .The crisis of internal and external trust (professional& political authorities) . “Fake news” The Role of the civil society organizations and local authorities 1. The first wave vs. the second wave 2. Civil society organizations as partners 3. They should serve as supervisors and assistants 4. They should be a link that connect between the authorities and the public.