Pfizer CEO's Israel visit canceled because he is not fully vaccinated

Published: MARCH 7, 2021 00:39

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla introduces US President Joe Biden as the president toured a Pfizer manufacturing plant producing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine in Kalamazoo, Michigan, US, February 19, 2021. (photo credit: REUTERS/TOM BRENNER) — Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla introduces US President Joe Biden as the president toured a Pfizer manufacturing plant producing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine in Kalamazoo, Michigan, US, February 19, 2021.

(photo credit: REUTERS/TOM BRENNER)

Bourla said in December that he has not yet received the vaccine yet because he does not want to "cut in line."

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has canceled his expected visit to Israel after it turned out he has not been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, N12 reported Friday.

According to the channel, Bourla, as well as members of the delegation that was meant to accompany him during his visit, have not received the second dose of the vaccine.

As a result, it was decided to delay the visit by several days, which also posed a logistic challenge because of the upcoming Israeli elections.

Bourla said in December that he has not yet received the vaccine yet because he does not want to "cut in line," and would wait until his age group is next in line for getting vaccinated. As such, he has received the first dose, but not the second one yet.

Pfizer did not respond to The Jerusalem Post's request for comment.

"We continue to be interested in visiting Israel and meeting with decision-makers," a Pfizer spokesperson told N12. "The visit to Israel will probably be scheduled toward the end of spring."

The Achrayut Leumit (national responsibility) movement on Wednesday sent a letter to Bourla, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and State Comptroller and Ombudsman Matanyahu Englman, urging the Pfizer CEO to postpone the visit until after the election.

In the letter, Achrayut Leumit CEO Oshi Elmaliach, who is considered close to former prime minister Ehud Barak, wrote that "Mr. Bourla's participation in photo-op events with the prime minister may constitute aiding and abetting a prohibited election campaign and is a criminal offense."

Elmaliach added that any propaganda of this sort will be met with an appeal to Englman, to the Central Elections Committee and if necessary, to the Israel Police for violation of election propaganda laws.

Netanyahu said last week that the purpose of Bourla's visit was to hold discussions about establishing a Pfizer vaccine manufacturing site in Israel.