Four Israelis died shortly after receiving their flu vaccine, all members of the Leumit HMO. Health officials are taking the cautious route, ordering a halt to flu vaccines nationwide.
Officials explain that in all the cases, the people who died had underlying chronic health conditions that most likely contributed to their deaths. The ages of the victims range from 53 to 76.
Health Ministry official Dr. Alex Levental stated 350 million people worldwide are vaccinated against the flu, stating with a modicum of confidence the deaths in Israel are coincidental, not at all related to the flu vaccine.
Three of the deaths occurred in Kiryat Gat, taking place in the last nine days. The three received the vaccine in the same Leumit HMO clinic, and the vaccines were from the same batch/shipment. It has also been learned the three were vaccinated against the flu the past three years, none having reported any negative side effects.
An estimated 140,000 people have already received the vaccine this year according to data compiled from the Clalit, Leumit and Maccabi HMOs.
Dr. Tzachi Grossman, a prominent medical researcher fears the deaths will have an impact, especially among higher-risk populations including children and the elderly. He explains that while the Health Ministry will permit the resumption of the vaccine, there will be many parents who are fearful, and may as a result opt to not bring their children for a vaccine this year. Some of the elderly may also be afraid to be vaccinated following the reports.
“No one wants the death toll [from influenza] to increase among children, the elderly and asthmatics as a result of not receiving the vaccination,” Dr. Grossman explains.
In the meantime, health officials are waiting for some answers from the French pharmaceutical company, reportedly the largest in Europe. Officials are already signaling the ‘all-clear’ but simultaneously exhibiting caution, not wishing to instill panic among Israelis.
Health Ministry official Prof. Glick told Army Radio on Monday morning it appears there is no connection whatsoever between the vaccines and the deaths. He confirmed reports that the ministry has also been in touch with World Health Organization officials.
Health Ministry Deputy Director-General Yitzchak Berlowitz states the chance of the deaths being related to the flu vaccine are extremely remote, stating if the French company reports on Monday morning there is no connection between the vaccine and the deaths, the vaccination program will in all likelihood resume.
Officials explain that in all the cases, the people who died had underlying chronic health conditions that most likely contributed to their deaths. The ages of the victims range from 53 to 76.
Health Ministry official Dr. Alex Levental stated 350 million people worldwide are vaccinated against the flu, stating with a modicum of confidence the deaths in Israel are coincidental, not at all related to the flu vaccine.
Three of the deaths occurred in Kiryat Gat, taking place in the last nine days. The three received the vaccine in the same Leumit HMO clinic, and the vaccines were from the same batch/shipment. It has also been learned the three were vaccinated against the flu the past three years, none having reported any negative side effects.
An estimated 140,000 people have already received the vaccine this year according to data compiled from the Clalit, Leumit and Maccabi HMOs.
Dr. Tzachi Grossman, a prominent medical researcher fears the deaths will have an impact, especially among higher-risk populations including children and the elderly. He explains that while the Health Ministry will permit the resumption of the vaccine, there will be many parents who are fearful, and may as a result opt to not bring their children for a vaccine this year. Some of the elderly may also be afraid to be vaccinated following the reports.
“No one wants the death toll [from influenza] to increase among children, the elderly and asthmatics as a result of not receiving the vaccination,” Dr. Grossman explains.
In the meantime, health officials are waiting for some answers from the French pharmaceutical company, reportedly the largest in Europe. Officials are already signaling the ‘all-clear’ but simultaneously exhibiting caution, not wishing to instill panic among Israelis.
Health Ministry official Prof. Glick told Army Radio on Monday morning it appears there is no connection whatsoever between the vaccines and the deaths. He confirmed reports that the ministry has also been in touch with World Health Organization officials.
Health Ministry Deputy Director-General Yitzchak Berlowitz states the chance of the deaths being related to the flu vaccine are extremely remote, stating if the French company reports on Monday morning there is no connection between the vaccine and the deaths, the vaccination program will in all likelihood resume.