Health funds launch flu vaccination campaigns as supplies gradually reach clinics

Israel's health funds are set to launch flu vaccination campaigns ahead of the upcoming winter season, although the rollout will be phased in gradually. Meuhedet Health Services began receiving its first shipment on Thursday, with vaccinations expected to commence the following week. The vaccines will be distributed in several shipments, with availability expanding at clinics as additional supplies arrive throughout September and October.

Health officials are urging the public, especially those at-risk, to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccines become accessible. Last year, around 980,000 patients of Clalit Health Services received flu vaccines, and the vaccination rate among people aged 65 and older was approximately 55%. Clalit's deputy director-general and head of Community Division, Ronen Nudelman, stated that their objective is to enable the public to get vaccinated promptly to safeguard themselves and their families from the flu and its potential complications.

Every shipment to Israel will be promptly distributed to vaccination centers and clinics. Clalit, being Israel's largest health fund, has ordered over one million injectable vaccines and 25,000 nasal sprays. The campaign will initially target major clinics and designated vaccination centers, with plans to expand to all Clalit clinics nationwide.

Meuhedet Health Services has also ordered approximately 250,000 vaccines, comprising a high-dose vaccine for those aged 65 and older, an inactivated injectable vaccine, and, later on, the FluMist nasal spray vaccine for people aged 2 to 49. Deliveries to clinics will be gradual until the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Hagar Wexler, director of Meuhedet's Nursing Division, advised scheduling appointments in advance to get vaccinated, emphasizing that the flu is a serious illness and last year experienced significant morbidity and a heavy hospital burden.