Speaking with Israel’s Channel 12 news, Bourla said he believed it was “a question of weeks” until kids aged 12-16 could start receiving the vaccine, but stressed that it depended on FDA approval.
In the interview, Bourla said it was “very appropriate for humanity” that one country be chosen as a testing ground for the efficacy of Pfizer’s vaccine.
“I was talking with several heads of state. I spoke with your prime minister, he convinced me that Israel is the place with the right conditions,” Bourla said. “I was impressed, frankly, with the obsession of your prime minister. He called me 30 times.”
He also cited Israel’s “extraordinary healthcare system… very high degree of economic data” and experience in dealing with crises.
Asked about Netanyahu’s frequent claim ahead of the March 23 elections that only he can bring vaccines to Israel, Bourla stressed his company signs supply contracts with states, not individual leaders.
“We are not contracting with individual companies or organizations… The vaccines will be sold to every country, irrespective of who is the leader,” he said.
Bourla, the Greek-born son of Holocaust survivors, was set to arrive in Israel on March 8, just 15 days before the March 23 election, but last week delayed the trip.
“It was quite complicated as a trip… in the middle of the pandemic the logistics weren’t always perfect, so we decided I’ll stay here,” he said in the interview.
Bourla confirmed receiving letters imploring him not to visit Israel ahead of the elections, as well as letters telling him to go through with the trip.
“My job is not to do politics,” he said, adding he has “zero intention” of interfering in the elections.
