From outbreak to lockdown, Israel was at the forefront of rapidly flattening the curve and inspiring the world to follow suit. Smithsonian Channel’s original documentary, VAXXED NATION, produced by Israeli- based leading production company Ananey Studios, provides an intimate look at how Israel — in spite of conflicts and divisiveness — became the world leader in vaccinating its population against COVID-19. It was one of the world’s first, fastest, and most successful rollouts of the COVID-19 vaccine, giving other nations an inoculation game plan and an optimistic glimpse of their collective future. So how did Israel do it? Find out when the world premiere of VAXXED NATION debuts in July, on Smithsonian Channel US and UK.

With rare access, cameras reveal the inside story of a dramatic yearlong stretch in the country’s history – from the first wave of the pandemic and the lockdowns and restrictions that followed to the aggressive vaccination campaign that reopened the economy to the outbreak of violence between Palestinians and Israeli forces – told through the eyes of its citizens. Following characters, whose stories resonate across borders, this global issue is examined through the lens of the very personal stories of hospital workers, rabbis, business owners, and others as they managed through lockdowns and restrictions, community divisiveness, and violent conflicts in Jerusalem. Discover the story of Israel’s vaccination campaign and the obstacles they faced before, during, and after the rollout.

VAXXED NATION is produced by Ananey Studios for Smithsonian Channel. For Smithsonian Channel, Yael Lavie served as showrunner and co-Executive Producer with Alicia Green and Tim Evans serving as Executive Producers. Orly Atlas Katz and Osnat Saraga served as Executive Producers for Ananey Studios.

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Smithsonian Channel

Smithsonian Channel(TM), a ViacomCBS Inc. brand, is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing factual entertainment, available in HD and 4K Ultra HD across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel, winner of Emmy(R) and Peabody awards, is the home of popular genres such as air and space, travel, history, science, nature and pop culture. Smithsonian Channel is available internationally in Canada, Singapore, Latin America, the UK and Ireland. Smithsonian Channel is available on Sky channel 171, Freeview channel 57, Freesat channel 175 and Virgin Media channel 295. To learn more visit smithsonianchannel.co.uk and find us on Facebook @SmithsonianChannelUK or Twitter @SmithsonianTVUK.

Ananey Studios (FKA Nutz Productions)

Ananey Studios is an international studio that serves as the production arm of ANANEY – a ViacomCBS Company (FKA Ananey Communications Group). This leading Israeli media group owns a variety of innovative content brands and twelve TV channels that include a lifestyle division and exclusive representation of ViacomCBS brands in Israel. Ananey Studios produces more than 500 hours of content per year, which air on the company’s channels in addition to a variety of local and international platforms. The award-winning studio produces content in a broad spectrum of genres and target demos – from live-action to animation; dramas to sitcoms; and documentary to fiction with a special place reserved for teen and young-adult dramas.