The Lebanese Minister of Health in the caretaker government, Hamad Hassan, announced that he made a sovereign decision and directed medical teams to the Parliament for the vaccination of deputies in appreciation of their efforts.
Hassan noted in a television interview today, Wednesday, that he made this decision because the Parliament convened for seven consecutive days and approved the emergency use law for the vaccine. The minister confirmed that logic was not disregarded regarding the age of the deputies and that the reactions to it were exaggerated, pointing out that the ministerial committee is the one that decides.
For his part, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eli Farzali questioned during a press conference where the crime lies if the Ministry of Health, under the stipulated conditions, vaccinated 11 deputies, all above the age of 70, most of whom are over 75. Farzali considered this action to indicate an attempt to politicize the issue.
The vaccination of several deputies and general managers against the Coronavirus at the Parliament triggered a significant uproar in Lebanon, and the World Bank threatened to halt funding for the vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The regional director for the Mashreq at the World Bank Group, Saroj Kumar Jha, tweeted, "Upon confirmation of the violation, the World Bank may suspend funding for vaccines and support for the COVID-19 response plan in Lebanon."
In turn, the Media Office at the Presidential Palace issued a statement yesterday, Tuesday, announcing that President Michel Aoun and the First Lady received the Coronavirus vaccine along with ten members of their close team, who registered their names on the vaccination platform according to the proper protocols. The media office indicated that President Aoun calls on Lebanese citizens to register on the platform to receive the vaccine and contribute to combating the spread of the virus.
Lebanese authorities launched the first vaccination campaign about two weeks ago after receiving 28,500 vaccine doses, prepared according to the Ministry of Health's plan to vaccinate healthcare workers and seniors over 75 years old.
