First fatality this year, from influenza • A 10 and a half year old girl died

(haipo) – A ten and a half year old girl from central Israel, generally healthy and vaccinated with routine vaccines but not with the flu vaccine, died after contracting the disease. This is the first fatality from the flu this year reported to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health reiterates the importance of vaccination for the entire population from the age of six months and older, especially among risk groups, noting that the vaccine significantly reduces complications and prevents deterioration of serious medical conditions.

The Ministry of Health informed Lahi Pa:

A ten and a half year old girl, a resident of central Israel, died as a result of influenza. The girl, who was generally healthy and routinely vaccinated, had not been vaccinated against influenza. This is the first influenza-related death reported to the Ministry this year.
The flu epidemic in Israel has crossed the epidemic threshold: meaning one patient infects more than one person.
The Ministry of Health recommends vaccination of the entire population from the age of six months and older – with an emphasis on those aged 65 and over, chronically ill patients, and children up to five years of age.

The flu vaccine does not completely prevent infection with the disease, but it certainly helps alleviate its severity, significantly reduces the rate of complications, and prevents deterioration to a serious medical condition. The vaccine is available and provided free of charge by health insurance companies.
So far, about 1.1 million insured people have been vaccinated against the seasonal flu, about 11 percent of all health insurance policyholders. About 60% of people aged 65 and over, about 85% of chronic patients, and about 77% of pregnant women have not yet been vaccinated against the disease.
Last year, at least 422 people died from the disease in Israel.