Sir Patrick Valance and Sir Chris Witty discuss Covid response with Israel

The UK government’s chief scientific advisor, Sir Patrick Valance, and England’s chief medical officer, Sir Chris Witty, have held meetings with Israel’s ministry of health this week to discuss the UK and Israel’s responses to Covid-19.

A tweet from Sir Patrick’s read, “Very helpful discussion with @CMO_England and colleagues from @IsraelMOH today to share information and lessons on the science behind the UK and Israel’s Covid-19 vaccination programmes.”

In response, the Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, tweeted, “Today, Israeli and British clinical leaders discussed #COVID19 and shared vital knowledge and data that will save lives. This is just the latest example of our strong cooperation, which will help us to beat this pandemic together.”

It comes amid reports this week that one of Israel’s chief medical officers said the first jab of the Pfizer vaccine is less effective than he expected.

Today, Israeli and British clinical leaders discussed #COVID19 and shared vital knowledge and data that will save lives.

This is just the latest example of our strong cooperation, which will help us to beat this pandemic together👇 https://t.co/LtPB6gHka7

— Tzipi Hotovely (@TzipiHotovely) January 21, 2021

Last week CUFI reported how Britain had introduced faster vaccination methods after government and health officials sought advice from Israel, including a conversation between British Health Minister Hancock and Health Minister Edelstein on further cooperation.

After talks with Israeli officials in the past week, the UK has ‘revolutionised the country’s vaccination system’ by copying Israel’s Covid-19 vaccine model, which is currently strides ahead in the rate of immunisation.