BRITAIN is pooling its medical expertise with Israel as the two countries lead the race to be first to emerge from the pandemic.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has spoken to his opposite number Yuli Edelstein to share plans for defeating the virus.
Israel is on course to have a quarter of its population vaccinated by this week thanks to its high-tech medical service.
The programme was rolled out fast, aided by the world’s best paperless records system stripped of red-tape.
It means a nation the size of Wales will soon be giving more jabs daily than Germany, France and Italy combined.
Patients are summoned for their treatment by text message or app alert.
It puts the state on course to be the first to protect its entire population.
A time-saving computer system tells health workers which patients are first.
Mr Hancock and Mr Edelstein spoke to share best practice and up the pace.
UK vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “We learned the speed at which they vaccinate — about four minutes per patient. That’s the sort of target we want.”
NHS patients can book a jab only if they have received a letter.
Dr Asher Salmon of Israel’s health ministry said: “Technological tools are integral in targeting patients.”
Sir John Bell, of Oxford University, said: “The Israelis are good at getting on a war footing.”
A British government spokesman said: “We’re learning from each other.”
