Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky at his home in the city of Bnei Brak, on December 26, 2019. Photo by Yaakov Nahumi/Flash90
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky at his home in the city of Bnei Brak, on December 26, 2019. Photo by Yaakov Nahumi/Flash90

 

JERUSALEM —  Rabbi Chaim Kanievski issued a dramatic new ruling on Monday, calling on the heads of Talmud Torahs and schools to vaccinate children against coronavirus in their school systems. In a letter written in response to a query by educators, Rabbi Kanievski responded that “they should arrange for vaccinations to take place in the Talmud Torahs and children should be vaccinated.”

Last month, Rabbi Chaim said that parents of children over the age of 5 should vaccinate them. This ruling was issued after the heads of the health system and the coronavirus project manager met with Rabbi Chaim and his personal physician Dr. Meshulam Hart.

Professor Zarka, the project manager for coronavirus in Israel, presented to Rabbi Chaim the opinions of leading doctors and the health ministry as well as the FDA regarding the efficacy and safety of vaccinations for young children. Prof. Zarka noted that the rise in infections is primarily among young children who have not been vaccinated against coronavirus.

Dr. Hart explained to Rabbi Chaim the importance of vaccinating children as well as the medical issues and complications occurring among children who had contracted coronavirus.

After Rabbi Chaim heard the doctors and assessed the safety of the vaccination as opposed to possible complications from COVID-19, he ruled that children aged 5 and above should be vaccinated. Rabbi Chaim blessed the children who vaccinate with good health and wished success to the health ministry officials.

As reported by Vos Iz Neias