A sharp increase in hospitalizations due to the deadly virus that is spreading: it is the vaccine that protects against it

The deadly virus that is spreading in Israel: In recent weeks, there has been a sharp increase in hospitalizations as a result of infection with the RSV virus in Israel, with dozens of patients in critical condition being hospitalized in intensive care, some of whom are ventilated and sedated. According to the data of the Ministry of Health, in the second week of 2025, 227 new positive cases were recorded in the hospitals, an increase of 19% compared to the previous week.

The RSV virus causes an infection in the respiratory tract and is mainly known as a significant cause of morbidity among infants and the elderly. The virus mainly affects the lungs and may lead to pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and respiratory difficulty. Among adults with underlying diseases such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes, as well as in immunocompromised individuals, the virus causes worsening and even increases the risk of death.

In Israel, a vaccine against the virus is given to premature babies, due to their very high risk of morbidity and mortality in the winter season. The vaccine is in the health basket for them, and premature babies are invited to the children’s hospitals to get vaccinated at several times before the winter. Recently, a new vaccine against the virus was also approved for adults.

This is the Arexvy vaccine intended for people aged 60 and over, especially for populations at risk such as patients with lung, heart or immunosuppression diseases and transplant recipients. Studies have shown that the vaccine is effective in reducing the risk of infection, preventing hospitalizations, and reducing the risk of serious diseases.

The innovative vaccine is based on a key protein of the RSV virus, called the “fusion protein” used by the virus to penetrate the cells of the respiratory system. When the vaccine is injected into the body, the immune system recognizes the protein as a foreign agent and begins to produce antibodies against it. The antibodies developed after vaccination recognize the real RSV virus if it enters the body, preventing it from infecting the cells of the respiratory system. Studies have shown that the vaccine is effective in preventing respiratory tract infections from the virus for about 30 months, that is, at least three winter seasons.

However, despite its high level of protection, the main drawback is the fact that it is not in the health basket and its price is very high. The vaccine is also not expected to enter the medicine basket in the coming years, relying on the basket committees of the last few years that did not prioritize vaccines in Israel in a high place.

The vaccine can be obtained through a private prescription only, and its price will be NIS 1,030. Family doctors are not obliged to prescribe the vaccine, because it is a private prescription. Upon receipt of the prescription, it can be ordered at any private pharmacy. The pharmacist orders the vaccine and the customer can pick it up within two or three days. After purchasing it, you can go to the traveling clinics at the Sheba, Ichilov or Wolfson hospitals, or get vaccinated at the Maccabi and Meuchedat health funds.