The number of hospitalizations of influenza patients in Israel surged by 60% compared to the previous week, Ynet learned on Tuesday. One in three hospitalized individuals testing positive for the flu is in pediatric departments nationwide.
According to data collected and analyzed by the Israel Center for Disease Control, a sharp increase in the number of new hospitalizations due to confirmed influenza cases in general hospitals was seen over the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, vaccination rates in Israel remain low, with experts warning that healthy children and adults could face severe or even fatal complications from the flu without immunization. As of this month, the vaccination rate in Israel stands at 13.6%, compared to 13.1% last year.
The rate increased from 7.7% to 8.7% among children aged six months to five years. However, experts still consider this rate too low.
Community clinic reports also show rising rates of flu-like illnesses, pneumonia and upper respiratory infections, according to the Israel Center for Disease Control. A high number of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) virus cases was also seen, with a slight increase in COVID-19 cases.
Schneider Children's Medical Center’s Infectious Diseases Unit Director Prof. Efi Bilavsky noted that flu-related deaths take place every winter. "A small number of healthy children die from flu complications every winter. The fact that one teenager has died and another child is on ECMO shows that this winter could be worse.”
According to him, the flu vaccine could prevent about half of the medical complications associated with the flu. "Parents should ensure their entire family, not just children, get vaccinated to keep the virus out of the home. It's the only measure that can prevent flu complications."
Prof. Efi BilavskyPhoto: Schneider Children's Medical CenterHe recommended consulting a pediatrician in cases of high fever, altered level of consciousness, respiratory distress, persistent vomiting or extreme fatigue. "Children who arrive at the hospital receive supportive care, antibiotics for secondary bacterial complications and respiratory support if needed.
“The flu can be severe, leading to complications such as secondary bacterial pneumonia, bloodstream infections and myocarditis."
Dr. Doron Dushnitsky, a pediatric specialist at Leumit Health Services and chairman of the Israeli Society for Ambulatory and Community Pediatrics, added that the flu could be life-threatening.
Dr. Doron DushnitskyPhoto: Leumit Health Services"As a public, we sometimes underestimate the flu, thinking it’s no more than a cold. It's one of the illnesses that can be dangerous. In some cases, there are underlying conditions like chronic diseases, immunosuppressive medications or congenital lung defects. In others, healthy individuals can experience severe deterioration in condition and even death."
He added that vaccination is crucial to prevent severe complications and deaths. "Vaccination is the single most effective step to reduce the likelihood of medical complications. If a child already has the flu, supportive care is recommended to ensure there’s no functional decline requiring medical intervention," he explained.
Dr. Dushnitsky stressed that flu vaccines could prevent severe disease complications. "The vaccine is highly effective if the strains included in the vaccine match the circulating strains, as determined based on information from the southern hemisphere during the summer. However, in years when the vaccine strains don't cover the active strains, flu cases rise despite vaccination."
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Despite the vaccine's high effectiveness, vaccination rates among children remain low. "Healthcare providers are making efforts to encourage vaccinations but the rate remains insufficient. Parents often don’t bring their children to vaccinate because severe illness and mortality rates among children are relatively low, or they don’t perceive the flu as dangerous.”
“Some parents feel the side effects around vaccination, like muscle pain or fever, aren't worth the effort and prefer their child to contract the illness while others struggle to find the time to get vaccinated,” he added.