Fear of the flu: Less than 78,000 vaccine doses remain in the health funds
Walla test! NEWS shows that tens of thousands of vaccine doses remain at the HMO, due to the increase in the number of vaccines in the past week. It is unclear when the new vaccine inventory ordered by the box office will arrive. Patients complain about long queues: "It's crazy to wait an hour for a vaccine"
Fear of the flu: Less than 78,000 vaccine doses remain in the health funds
Less than 78,000 flu vaccines are left at the HMO - this is what Walla says today! NEWS. Ministry of Health data shows that 20% of the population has been vaccinated, a 4% jump in just a week. This is a higher figure than in the previous two years, following a decrease in the number of vaccines so far.
Regarding the remaining amount of vaccines, precisely in the large, general hospital, with approximately 4.5 million people insured, only 15,000 vaccine doses remain. In Maccabi Health Services there were 20,000 vaccines, 23,000 in a national health fund and 20,000 vaccine doses. Due to the shortage, the HMOs ordered additional stock of vaccines, but it is unclear when exactly it will arrive, and whether the existing stock will end by then.
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Maccabi patients vaccinated against flu, December 29, 2019 (Photo: Adi Mendel, unnamed)
"It scares me to go to a hospital in Israel this winter. It's a nightmare you don't know how to get out of."The increase in the vaccine rate can be seen mainly in the least vulnerable population - aged six to 59 without chronic illnesses. This year we spared 19% of this population, up from 16.7% last year and 18% two years ago. In fact, among chronic patients under 65, the number of vaccines decreased - 28.6% in the current year compared with 33.8% in 2018 and 37.9% in 2017. Among those aged 65 and over, the vaccine rate was similar to last year and stands at 56.3%, down from 2017 - so the figure stood at 58.4%.
Adi Mendel, a resident of Kiryat Ono, who arrived this morning to be vaccinated at the Maccabi hospital branch in the city, ended her visit with disappointment. She explained that she had not been vaccinated so far, but recent publications on patient mortality have led her to do so. "I realized that this effect is more dangerous than others," she said. "I've never been vaccinated, but I preferred not to end the winter in the ER, and decided to get vaccinated."
The queues lengthen. Maccabi patients pay flu vaccine (Photo: Adi Mendel)
Maccabi patients vaccinated against flu, December 29, 2019 (Photo: Adi Mendel, unnamed)
Mendel's partner, who is insured in a unified health fund - close to her branch - waited "only" 50 minutes in the morning, but the situation was completely different. "His branch was less crowded, but my branch was blown up, very busy," Mandel said. "There was also a queue for a number, and then I saw that there were 200 people before. I arrived at 9:00 in the morning and there was a woman waiting from 7:50. I decided that I didn't wait more than an hour for vaccination. I was also afraid to just wait and then say no more vaccines in stock ".
"I'm not vaccinated and really want to get vaccinated. It's crazy that you have to wait an hour for a vaccine. It's so elementary, why don't more positions open? It scares me to go to a hospital in Israel this winter. It's a nightmare you don't know how to get out of," she shared.
More in Walla! NEWS More in Walla! NEWSThe resistant strain, the surge in morbidity and panic for vaccines: A guide to the flu
To the full articleIt is unclear when the new inventory will arrive. Man vaccinated against flu (Photo: Maccabi Health Services)
Man vaccinated against influenza, December 25, 2019 (Photo: Maccabi Health Services, official website)
The flu vaccine scare began last week, when the deaths of three patients became ill. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people came to the health funds to be vaccinated, but the stock at the various branches is running out every day, and many of the policyholders - who have to wait long lines - are forced to come again on another day.
Combining vegetables on the menu and multiple drinks: That's how you fight the flu
As for those who have not been vaccinated so far, there are several other ways to reduce the chance of flu. According to Dr. Dana Florentin, Specialist for Family Health Services of Clalit Health, incorporating the daily menu of a variety of vegetables and fruits of all colors helps the normal functioning of the immune system. In addition, it is recommended to consume vegetable oils, nuts and meats rich in vitamin E, sweet potato and pumpkin rich in beta-carotene and zinc found in beef and legumes.
Man vaccinated against influenza at national health fund in Tel Aviv, 2015 (Photo: Avi Cohen)
People vaccinated for flu at Tel Aviv National Hospital branch (Photo: Avi Cohen)
Dr. Florentin emphasized multiple drinking. "It's important not to forget to drink," she added. "Water is important for regulating body temperature, so low temperature raises fluid requirements just like in hot weather. In addition, heated, dry air created by heat dissipation and air conditioners can cause the skin to lose water through evaporation, so the body's need for fluids does not go away. When the body works hard to fight the cold, it utilizes more fluid. "
In addition, she recommends exercising, which helps the immune system function properly. "On rainy and windy days, it is possible to go beyond normal and perform different activities under an indoor environment, for example at home with tape training or using home fitness equipment, in the stairwell, or in a gym," she said.
