In a detailed report, the State Comptroller highlighted significant shortcomings in the handling of COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Israel's school system. The audit revealed that vaccination rates were alarmingly low within the schools, where only about 99,000 students were vaccinated during the 2021-2022 period, representing just 4% of the student population and 9% of all vaccinated students. The majority, around 91%, were vaccinated in the community, accompanied by their parents, indicating a lack of trust or accessibility within the school system.
The government's decision to reopen schools in September 2021 came after a year of distance learning. To facilitate this reopening, a vaccination plan and rapid antigen testing were implemented. However, the execution fell short of the target, with only 429 out of 1,500 schools participating in vaccinations for 5-11 year-olds. Additionally, only half of the schools administered immunizations with the help of student health services nurses. The auditor found that both the vaccination and testing plans failed to meet their objectives, with low participation rates posing a significant challenge.
A particularly concerning aspect was the 'Learning Checkers' outline, which required parents to report their children's health status to schools. Only 21% of parents complied, leaving the majority unreported. Notably, in ultra-Orthodox communities, a staggering 98% of teachers refused to send reports on one of the test days. The Ministry of Education's lack of preparedness and unclear instructions were cited by 70% of school managers and over half of the parents and administrators as contributing factors to these failures.
Furthermore, school staff faced organizational challenges, having to pack and distribute antigen test kits, which were often incomplete or entirely missing, affecting approximately 20% of cases. The inefficiencies hampered the identification of COVID-19 positive students, disrupted the investigation of infection chains, and consequently, impacted the continuity of education.
In response to the vaccination initiative through mobility units, schools struggled to meet the threshold of 50 parental approvals required for vaccination drives. This was attributed to ineffective communication and information campaigns. A survey indicated that about 40% of parents refrained from vaccinating their children in schools due to inadequate information, demonstrating a clear need for improved messaging and outreach.
The State Comptroller recommended that the Ministry of Education learn from these failures, correct the deficiencies, and effectively implement these measures in future pandemics. This report underscores the critical need for better preparation, clear communication, and robust logistical support in managing public health within the educational system.
In a complementary report, the State Comptroller examined the broader public's response to COVID-19 vaccinations and the Ministry of Health's handling of side effect reports. Approximately 300,000 reports of vaccine side effects were either not received or not processed by the Ministry of Health due to technical faults in their systems. This included significant issues such as menstrual disorders, which were not timely investigated.
The Ministry of Health reportedly managed only about 1,000 significant side effect reports, predominantly pericarditis cases, while lacking adequate systems to track and analyze the broader data comprehensively. The audit found that the Ministry's computerized systems were insufficient, relying on Excel files which limited their ability to identify critical patterns and 'red lights' in side effects data.
Despite the transparency and proactive measures taken by the Ministry of Health, including the establishment of a new reporting system and real-time monitoring, the inefficiencies in data management hampered the full assessment of vaccine safety. The audit revealed a disparity in vaccination rates over time, with the momentum slowing significantly post-March 2021, and a noticeable lag in vaccination among ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities.
The public's trust in the vaccination process was also scrutinized, with a notable percentage of the population expressing distrust in the official health bodies. The Ministry of Health's efforts to counter 'fake news' through a dedicated team were acknowledged, yet the need for a comprehensive national information agency was emphasized to tackle misinformation more effectively.
- The audit recommended that future vaccination campaigns should incorporate more effective communication strategies, leveraging social media and other platforms to increase parent and student engagement. Transparent and well-disseminated information is vital in addressing public concerns and increasing trust in health initiatives.
- Moreover, it is crucial for the Ministry of Health to enhance its data management capabilities. Investing in advanced, integrated systems could improve the accuracy and efficiency of tracking vaccine side effects, leading to better-informed public health decisions.
- The disparities in vaccination rates between different demographic groups highlight the need for targeted outreach programs. Tailored strategies should be developed to address the unique concerns and barriers faced by various communities, ensuring equitable access to vaccinations and health resources.
