Influenza continues to charge victims: A baby girl from the center dies of the complication of the disease

A year and a half ago, she was rushed to Kaplan Hospital after she became ill, but the medical team had to determine her death. The HMOs reported an increase in the number of vaccines against the disease. Clalit again called on the public to receive the vaccine, and Maccabi started a pilot to increase the proportion of vaccines in at-risk populations

Influenza continues to charge victims: A baby girl from the center dies of the complication of the disease

A baby girl about a year and a half from the center area died Wednesday as a result of a complication of flu disease. The baby arrived at Kaplan Hospital on the streets in a human condition while resuscitating, but the medical team had to determine her death.

Two people have died from complications of the disease in recent days - a 14-year-old girl suffering from background illnesses and died at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, and a 19-year-old who passed away at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. Alongside the two, Sheba Medical Center has two more people in serious condition following the development of the disease.

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The doctors fought for the baby's life. Kaplan Hospital (Photo: Avi Cohen)

Kaplan Hospital, Streets. February 2016 (Photo by Avi Cohen)

After the deaths were reported due to influenza complications, HMOs today report an increase in vaccine rates. According to Clalit Health Services, there has been a significant increase in the number of vaccines since the morning. According to them, about 18,000 people are expected to be vaccinated by the end of the day, in addition to the 900,000 insured persons of the fund that we have saved so far. Maccabi Health Services said 10,000 people are expected to be vaccinated by the evening, compared to around 2,200 vaccines on a routine day.

"We are again recommending vaccination, especially for populations at risk - pregnant women, children up to the age of 12, chronically ill patients and those aged 65 and over," said Kalanit Key, head of the nursing division of the Clalit community division.

Increase in number of flu patients in serious condition: "Morbidity started earlier than expected"

A significant increase in the number of vaccines from the morning. Man vaccinated against flu (Photo: Maccabi Health Services)

Man vaccinated against influenza, December 25, 2019 (Photo: Maccabi Health Services, official website)

In the meantime, with a view to preventing the spread of the disease, Maccabi has begun a pilot to increase the rate of vaccination among at-risk populations. The pilot, which began in recent weeks in the Sharon district, is conducted using technology that produces customized publicity videos, which explain the importance of the vaccine, the implications of the disease and the location of the upcoming health fund. The move comes against the backdrop of the death of three people following the complications of the disease, but it should be emphasized that the overall death rate does not exceed that of previous years, and the vaccine rate is similar to last year.

The video was sent to patients via a link in the messages, and according to the health fund about half of them did open it. The technology that enabled the POS database to be used for video production was created through the Israeli company Telesopia Medical. Over 7,000 messages were sent to patients in the target population at risk over the past week.

According to the HMO, the patients to whom the video was sent are defined as a "repugnant" target population - patients who have already received a few reminders since the beginning of Operation Impact and yet have not been vaccinated. In some cities in Sharon, where the messages were sent, doctors in the warehouse routinely indicate that there has been an increase in the number of patients who have been vaccinated. "Flu is an epidemic that involves risks and complications and can be prevented with a simple vaccine," explained Maccabi's Sharon district head Sigal Dadon Levy. "Our biggest challenge is raising awareness of the risks and encouraging patients to come and get vaccinated. I believe that through Telesopia's technology and personal contact with patients, we will be able to raise the percentage of vaccines and ensure this winter is protected against the flu and its complications."

"An epidemic that involves risks and complications and can be prevented with a simple vaccine." Dadon Levy (Photo: Sam Yitzhakov)

Sigal Dadon (Photo: Sam Yitzhakov, official website)

Maccabi Maccabi's head of nursing and medical centers, Dr. Angela Urbani, said the HMO is optimistic in the aftermath of the trial. "Every year we look for innovative channels to reach Maccabi patients and increase responsiveness to influenza vaccines. The new tool will certainly improve our understanding of what is required to be stored in a simple and accessible way. "

"We were pleased to demonstrate in the pilot that although many patients have already become indifferent to the accepted media channels, they have not ignored a video created specifically for them, and includes a personal invitation from the attending physician," said Telesopia Medical Director Rami Cohen. On Eternity Street 3 Ramat Hasharon "instead of" Come get vaccinated "raises the response rate by over 40%." The staff and I were very excited to hear that patients came to clinics with the video and demanded the vaccine. We are currently working on videos on other topics. "

97 patients are in serious condition since the beginning of the season

According to data from the Health Ministry, 97 patients in serious condition were enrolled in the current flu season, of which ten died. Last year, 45 patients were in serious condition and 17 died as a result of the disease. In 2017, 77 patients were in serious condition and 37 people died.

(Update first: 18:58)

Died following the complication of the disease. Hillel Dashbash (Photo: Courtesy of the family)

Hillel Dashbash, 19, died of influenza at Shaare Zedek Hospital, December 24, 2019 (Photo: courtesy of the family)