Almost 16% of the Israeli population was vaccinated: the K influenza strain is virally contagious

Along with the important trend that is evident in the scope of those getting vaccinated, and due to the fear of a severe flu season, which has already begun, the health system is preparing for more widespread and severe morbidity. In view of this, the Ministry of Health works extensively to promote the principle of preventive precaution and recommends that populations at risk consider wearing masks in closed places and in gatherings. The ministry also recommends the wearing of masks for medical staff and visitors to nursing homes and geriatric institutions.

This step joins the directive of the ministry that was already published in the winter circular, in October, on the reinforcement of medical teams in order to reduce burdens and provide an answer to the winter illness.

As part of the systemic preparation, the Ministry of Health convened the TCM (epidemic treatment team) last week for a comprehensive discussion in which the team’s experts joined the ministry’s call to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible, which is also shared by doctors and specialists at the health insurance funds.

We will remind you that the Ministry of Health recommends the vaccination of the entire population from the age of six months and older – with an emphasis on those aged 65 and older and chronically ill. Although the flu vaccine does not completely prevent the infection of the disease, it helps to alleviate its severity, when a child’s flu vaccine may also provide some protection to the adults around him.

According to the data of the National Center for Disease Control (NDC), as of week 49, 513 new patients positive for type A influenza and one positive case for type B influenza were reported in the general hospitals, according to reports from 14 hospitals.

In the world, both in the southern half and, now, in the northern half, the flu was characterized by higher morbidity levels than the multi-year average and earlier than usual. The earlier than expected increase in morbidity occurs due to a new substrain of influenza A – A(H3N2) – substrain K.

The flu also started early in Israel. Along with this, it should be noted that currently no abnormal morbidity in children is observed in the world or in Israel – a serious illness or a higher rate of hospitalization – in relation to the total scope of morbidity.