What is already known about this topic?

Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in a controlled setting. Israel initiated a national vaccination campaign in December 2020, prioritizing persons aged >60 years and other high-risk populations.

What is added by this report?

By February 2021, 2-dose vaccination coverage was 84% among persons aged ≥70 years and 10% among those aged

What are the implications for public health practice?

These findings provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe cases of COVID-19 at the national level in Israel.