The Health Ministry updated Monday morning that an unvaccinated toddler from Jerusalem, aged one year and four months, died over the weekend from measles. This is the third measles fatality since the outbreak began.
According to the ministry, “measles is a highly contagious viral disease, life-threatening and preventable by an effective and safe vaccine.”
The ministry outlined its vaccination recommendations:
- Routine vaccination for all children at age 1 and again at age 6 (per the standard immunization schedule).
- An additional recommended dose for infants aged 6–11 months in outbreak areas and for infants traveling to places with active outbreaks.
Last week the Health Ministry announced that infants aged 6–11 months will be able to receive the measles vaccine at Tipat Chalav well-baby clinics without an appointment, subject to a family or social connection to residents of towns with active measles outbreak, and also if a visit to such areas is planned.
The ministry stressed: “At present there are active measles outbreaks in Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Jerusalem, Modi’in Illit and Nof HaGalil, and vaccination stations have been set up in these localities to strengthen immunization efforts; residents may attend these stations without a prior appointment.”
As of Monday 24 measles patients are hospitalized, most are unvaccinated children under age 6 — eight of them in intensive care and one requiring ECMO. “Ahead of the holiday it is important to avoid gatherings if you feel unwell, so as not to infect others,” the Health Ministry urged.