Israel military minds aid COVID battle and rapid vaccine rollout

IDF intelligence-led project soaks up knowledge as Asia plays catch-up

Israel Defense Forces personnel conduct epidemiological investigations at the Corona Task Force Headquarters in Ramle -- part of the IDF's COVID-19 response, which also includes a data-gathering "Knowledge Center." © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

February 10, 2021 18:07 JST

TOKYO -- The world is watching Israel and its unmatched coronavirus vaccination drive. Israel, meanwhile, is watching COVID-19 around the world with a "Knowledge Center" spearheaded by military intelligence.

Much has been made of the tiny Middle Eastern state's rapid vaccine rollout. It has administered nearly 66 shots per 100 residents, according to the latest figures from statistics website Our World in Data. That was far ahead of the best of the West, the U.K.'s nearly 19, let alone Asia, where Singapore was leading at about three.