Ministry of Health reveals that referrals to health funds broke record of a decade • So far, we have saved about two million Israelis • Vaccines have run out of "Clalit" and "Maccabi"

• "Highest impact intensity in over a decade"

Flu morbidity continues to break records for the winter of 1998: Data from the Center for Disease Control at the Ministry of Health indicate that the rate of referrals to health fund clinics with flu-like illness has peaked in the last decade.

Last week, the referral rate was about 17 applications for every ten thousand patients. The intensity of influenza activity (measured by referral rate and calculated by the European Language Algorithm) is defined as the highest measured in the last decade.

The report also shows that the percentage of visits to pediatric and internal screening continues due to pneumonia. The percentage of visits to internal screening is above the multi-year average.

The increase in bed occupancy in pediatric wards was seen in the last week compared to last week (113% versus 107%). However, no significant change was observed in the internal wards, but the bed occupancy was still above the hospital capacity (about 106%).

About 84% of patients contracted the swine flu strain

The report found that 84 percent of flu patients this year were infected with swine flu strain, which is included in the vaccine vaccine.

So far we have saved 1.965 million Israelis, which is 22% of the population, compared with 18% in the same period last year.

Immune coverage in the elderly group aged 65 and over reaches about 58% (compared with 56% in the same period last year). Immune coverage for infants and children aged 59-6 months reaches about 22% (compared with about 16% in the same period last year).

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At the general health funds and Maccabi the vaccines have run out completely

The effects of the growing influenza this winter are evident in the growing stock of vaccines at health funds. In "Clalit" and "Maccabi" the vaccines ran out completely. United received another ten thousand vaccine doses today, and a similar number remains in a national health fund. In another week, additional vaccine doses are expected to reach Maccabi hospital.

Prof. Hagai Levin, chairman of the Association of Public Health Doctors of the Medical Association: "The rate of referrals due to influenza-like illness in community clinics for the first time crossed the threshold of high activity this week. As we feared, this year's flu season is not only ahead but also more difficult than previous years.

"Unfortunately, the ongoing neglect of the health system and the lack of adequate budgeting, the lack of proper winter preparation, and the poor prioritization of health are increasing in human life. The situation is particularly serious in public health and preventive medicine.

Prof. Levin also adds: "The health system in Israel has no reserves and is constantly in serious need. Emergency care and investment in health are required. The elections cannot be waited for."