Health Ministry officials insist the death on Friday of a 75-year-old Bat Yam man, two days after receiving a vaccine against swine flu was not connected in any way whatsoever with the vaccine. Ministry officials fear that the case will in all likelihood deter others from stepping forward and being vaccinated, aware that the response to the nationwide vaccination program has been limited, due to fears surrounding the new vaccine.

Health officials report the man had underlying chronic medical programs, including cardiac issues and being a dialysis patient. Ministry officials add the family has refused to permit an autopsy, so the exact cause of death will not be known, but stated without a doubt the man’s death was not caused by the H1N1 vaccine, calling on the general public to step forward and get vaccinated.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)