Israeli troops training in 2017. (Photo/JTA-Israel Defense Forces) News Israel Israel’s military says it has reached herd immunity to Covid Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Ben Sales, JTA | March 15, 2021 The Israeli military declared that it has reached herd immunity to Covid-19 after 80 percent of its personnel had either been vaccinated, had the disease or both. The announcement makes the Israel Defense Forces perhaps the first military in the world to achieve immunity to the disease. “Things look a lot more like they did a year ago,” Brig. Gen. Dr. Alon Glasberg, the IDF’s chief medical officer, told reporters Thursday, according to The Times of Israel. “It seemed impossible, but now it’s here.” While herd immunity will allow the military to resume normal operations, soldiers will still have to wear masks and socially distance for now. The military’s vaccination campaign comes amid Israel’s record-setting drive to immunize its population. As of March 11, more than 4 million Israelis, nearly half the country and the majority of its adults, have been fully vaccinated. Ben Sales JTA reporter JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Israel With 41% of the country vaccinated, Israel begins reopening Israel Ceasefire ends days of fighting between Israel and Gaza Politics Lasers, Saudis and Jewish Olympics: A preview of Biden’s Israel trip Analysis A 5th Israeli election in 3 years? Here’s what happens next. Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up