Low COVID-19 vaccine coverage and other COVID-19 risk factors of Ultra-Orthodox jews.

A recent report from the UK identified ‘one of the highest severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 seroprevalence levels in the world to date’ in a tight-knit strictly Orthodox Jewish community in Britain. Notably, the study was done prior to the third national lockdown and starting vaccinations program. However, this observation lends further support to the vulnerability of this unique population, likely independent of location, which should be better recognized and attended to.

The increased coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) morbidity among Ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods was first observed in Israel at the beginning months of the pandemic, prior to the introduction of effective vaccines. It was ascribed to the traditional intimacy during religious practices, as well as to their increased population density. However, an additional risk factor of the remarkably high seroprevalence of COVID-19 among Ultra-Orthodox Jewish populations was recently identified.

Gorelik et al. studied COVID-19 vaccine coverage in different populations in Israel, convincingly demonstrating that the Ultra-Orthodox population had the lowest vaccine coverage for all age groups. For example, 92 225/213 223, 43.25% of 20- to 59-year-old people remained unvaccinated, significantly more than other populations whose vaccine coverage for these age groups is estimated at 84%.,

Thus, suboptimal vaccine coverage is an additional important and modifiable risk factor adding to the burden of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among Ultra-Orthodox populations. Interventions to promote preventive practices and mostly, increase vaccine coverage must give special attention to the Ultra-Orthodox populations, and convincing their extremely influential Rabbinical leaders may well be an excellent starting point.

Conflict of interest. None declared.