There is a concern that a change in one of the strains of influenza impairs the effectiveness of the vaccine against it, and this may mean a greater increase in influenza morbidity, so that the health system will deal with disease waves in two epidemics - corona and influenza.
This week, there was a 65% jump in the number of people diagnosed with influenza in hospital, and the rate of people going to clinics with flu symptoms has doubled in the last two weeks.
In the last week, 730 people with the flu have been hospitalized, and the fear is that due to the decrease in the effectiveness of the vaccine, the numbers will increase.
According to the National Center for Disease Control, 1,849 hospitalized patients diagnosed with the flu have been reported so far this season, including 605 children and 124 pregnant women and women.
Most patients were infected with influenza A, which was identified in the Central Virus Laboratory as the H3N2 subtype, which is included in the influenza vaccine.
But this is a strain that has undergone a change, and an article published following tests performed in the laboratory found that the effectiveness of the vaccine against it is less.
It was also found that 15 people over the age of 75 who were found to be positive for the flu - died.
The Ministry of Health states that it is possible to get vaccinated from the age of six months and upwards, and that the flu vaccine can be given at the same time as the corona vaccine.
They also warn that "the flu in the country is on the rise. The flu virus can cause a serious illness. The Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated against it these days."
Prof. Michal Hobers, director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at Meir Hospital, explains: "Every year a new flu vaccine is released, and every year a forecast is made for the four strains that will be vaccinated. "Alpha strain, and Omicron deserves. Therefore, it is estimated that the effectiveness of the flu vaccine has decreased. The effectiveness range of the flu vaccine ranges from 40 to 70 percent in preventing infection. But in preventing a serious illness, the effectiveness of the vaccine is maintained."
Dr. Ira Zaretsky, an immunologist at the Weizmann Institute and a member of the Mada'at Association: "The trends in the increase in morbidity that we see are not necessarily related to the vaccine.
Almost every year during this period there is an increase in the number of hospitalized.
"Despite the decline in vaccine effectiveness, we need to do everything we can to get vaccinated and protect ourselves."
Data from the Ministry of Health show that we have so far vaccinated 1,643 million people against the flu, which is 17.8%, compared to 25% in the corresponding period last year.
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