Health Minister Yacob Ben-Yizri. First to be vaccinated
Photo: Yaron Brener
Health Ministry: No vaccines- possible death
Health Ministry worries freeze on flu shots could have grave consequences
Health Ministry worried: Although flu vaccinations have been put on hold, the health ministry estimated Sunday night that vaccinations would resume Monday.
Health Minister Yacov Ben Yizri stressed that he would be the first to receive a vaccination. However, after the deaths of four vaccinated patients, others may be reluctant to receive the shot. For the chronically ill or elderly, such behavior could have fatal consequences.
Concern
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The health ministry worries that, despite the clear-cut tests that took place, which were unable to show a connection between the vaccine and the deaths, public sentiment will nonetheless oppose the vaccination, leaving almost a million unused vaccines.
A ministry source said "we'll need to take drastic measures in order to show that there's nothing to be afraid of and that people can come be vaccinated."
Last winter, because of the bird flu epidemic in Asia, demand for the vaccine was high. It is possible that the high rate of vaccination is directly related to the decrease in illnesses and deaths register for the winter of 2005.
'Vaccinations important'
Dr. Shai Brill, an expert in geriatric medicine at the ’Beit Rivka’ Geriatric Rehabilitation Center Day Hospital, explained the importance of vaccinations for the elderly. "With the onset of old age, there's difficulty dealing with stressful conditions, one of which is the flu."
"Flu complications can result in pneumonia or even death. Vaccinations prevent full strength influenza and can save lives. Not getting treated could lead to sickness and hospitalization," he explained.
Surveys done by aid organizations revealed that elderly persons who had not been vaccinated had a death rate 30 percent higher than that of those who had been vaccinated.
"There's a definite importance to restore public trust in the vaccinations," declared Dr. Brill. "Even if they prove that there is nothing the matter with the vaccinations, the four recent deaths are still scaring people off."
In the meantime, the Health Ministry is awaiting answers from the French manufacturer of the vaccinations. The health minister stressed Sunday that vaccinations would not be renewed until the matter has been "totally cleared" by the medicine company.
Yitzhak Berlovich, Health Ministry deputy director-general, estimated that the chance the vaccines are linked with the deaths is "very slim." He added that on Monday the Ministry will decide whether to resume vaccinations.
