The Health Ministry program to vaccinate Israel’s students against the flu was not as successful as was hoped. According to a Ynet report only 55% of students agreed to receive the vaccine in school. The number of children who received the vaccine reached 60.4%.

An internal Health Ministry report shows that 90% of the refusal was from parents with 3.4% documented as student refusal and 3.5% as being absent on the day the vaccinations were given.

Officials now report the message was not delivered as well as it should have or could have and not, with flu season upon us, some 40% of the students are not vaccinated. One of the lessons learned is the need to add additional nurses in schools during the vaccination program. Health Ministry officials are disappointed with the low turnout among students.

Vaccines are given free around the country and adults may receive one via one’s kupat cholim healthcare provider. Generally speaking, the kupot cholim are set up that one can just come to a nursing station during operating hours and receive the vaccine without seeing a doctor and without advanced appointment. That said persons are urged to contact their local kupat cholim office to determine the procedure and to make sure that they haven’t run out of vaccinations as is the case in some branches.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)