Israel’s kupot cholim (HMOs) have announced they will be giving flu vaccines to members free of charge in the hope of encouraging many people to decide to have the vaccine ahead of this winter’s flu season.
 
Kupat Cholim Clalit, the nation’s largest HMO, has already purchased 620,000 doses of the vaccines in anticipation of the demand. Maccabi, the second largest, has purchased 250,000 doses.
 
The first priority will be the infirmed, patients who are not ambulatory and generally at higher risk from complications if they contract the flu. Other higher priority populations include the elderly; especially those living in senior citizen facilities, healthcare workers, and the chronically ill whose conditions would be complicated by the flu.
 
HMO officials realize that recent studies showing higher percentage of populations being vaccinated results in a lower rate of flu – well aware the vaccination is a cost-saving measure in the long run, not to mention the fact it can prevent much illness and in some cases, save lives.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)