Israel’s kupot cholim (HMOs) are reporting an increase in the number of Israelis coming in to receive a flu vaccine as compared to 2013. Last year a total of 776,000 Israelis were vaccinated, representing 9.4% of the population. This year, 1.2 million doses of the vaccination have already been administered, representing 13.1% of the population.

Health officials earlier in the year warned that they fear a particular harsh flu season and worked to encourage citizens to get vaccinated, especially the population viewed ‘at risk’; the elderly, people with chronic illness and very small children. Last year, 54,000 ‘at risk’ Israelis (6.1%) were vaccinated and the number this year has already reached 111,000 (12.6%).

Regarding the senior citizen population, persons over 65-years-old; last year a total of 357,000 (40.3%) were vaccinated and this year, that number stands at 414,000 (46.8%).

The Clalit HMO reports vaccinating 15.8% of its members. The Maccabi HMO reports it has reached 12% of its members while the Meuchedet HMO reports 8.8% and Leumit HMO 6.7%.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)