The Health Ministry is urging the public to get vaccinated against the flu. The ministry announced that "in Israel, similar to other countries around the world, this year's flu season started earlier than usual, and the data indicates a high rate of flu virus detection among hospitalized patients." The Health Ministry emphasizes that although the flu vaccine does not completely prevent infection with the disease, in most cases it helps alleviate its severity and significantly reduces the risk of serious illness or death. The vaccine is safe and recommended from six months of age and older, it is available and provided free of charge at health maintenance organizations.