Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared getting a COVID-19 vaccination with landing on the moon on Saturday as he received the first inoculation in the country.
“That was a small jab for a man, a huge step for the health of us all. May this be this successful. Go out and get vaccinated!,” Netanyahu remarked following his shot, mimicking the words of American astronaut Neil Armstrong, Reuters reported.
In 1969, when Armstrong landed on the moon and planted his left foot on the surface, he declared, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Netanyahu also made references to the Bible’s book of Exodus during his treatment, telling reporters that he was offering “a strong hand and an outstretched arm” to the doctor that vaccinated him.
Israel began receiving shipments of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine last week and is set to receive orders of Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines soon.
The nation projects that it will have enough doses to vaccinate nearly 20 percent of its most at-risk populations before the end of the year, according to Reuters.
Netanyahu stated earlier this month that he wanted to receive the vaccine first to foster trust in the vaccine among people in the nation.
“I expect the citizens of Israel to vaccinate and in order to ensure that, I would like to serve as a personal example,” Netanyahu said then.
Lawmakers and leaders in the U.S. have also been publicly vaccinated, urging the American public to take the coronavirus vaccine when it is made available to them.
Vice President Pence on Friday received a coronavirus vaccine on live television while wearing a mask.
“We gather here today at the end of a historic week to affirm to the American people that hope is on the way,” Pence said in remarks after receiving the vaccine.
He assured the public that although the health and government officials “cut through red tape” to expedite the distribution of the vaccine, they “cut no corners.”
Israel has reported nearly 372,400 coronavirus cases and over 3,000 coronavirus-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Reuters.