Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday received his COVID-19 vaccine jab in public to start the rollout of the country's vaccination exercise.

Netanyahu's vaccination was broadcasted on local media stations, with the prime minister taking the opportunity to urge citizens to get vaccinated against the virus.

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein was also expected to receive the vaccination.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and other top government are also lined up to receive the vaccination from Sunday.

(COVER IMAGE: File photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivering a statement to his Likud party in Jerusalem, December 2, 2020. /AP)