Happy holidays - time to get a flu vaccination<br><br> - Haaretz

Last update - 14:44 08/10/2006

Happy holidays - time to get a flu vaccination

By Varda Spiegel, Haaretz Correspondent

Vaccinations for the winter flu season are underway this month, and although prospective recipients may be tempted to wait until after the holidays to get their jab, there are practical as well as medical reasons to get vaccinated soon.

The Health Ministry's current recommendation, that only those who belong to high risk categories be vaccinated before October 31, indicates that there is reason to suspect that supplies are limited.

In addition to older adults, the ministry currently recommends vaccination of healthy infants between the ages of 6-23 months and children age 6-18 who regularly take aspirin.

Children who have not been vaccinated in the past will require two doses of the vaccination with a month between doses.

Thus, parents are advised to vaccinate infants and children this month to complete the vaccination schedule by the end of November.

Research indicates that there are medical as well as practical reasons for adults and children to be vaccinated early in the season.

A study conducted for the Maccabi health maintenance organization in 2003 revealed that, although those who were vaccinated in late November tended to be younger and healthier, in general, the following winter they were hospitalized more frequently and stayed in the hospital longer, than those who were vaccinated in early October.

The Health Ministry recommends that Israelis be vaccinated if they fit any of the following criteria:

Age 50 years or older

Chronically ill individuals older than six months in age

People who reside in institutions that are 50 years old and/or suffer from chronic illness

Pregnant women and women recovering after giving birth

Healthy infants age 6-23 months

Children age 6 months to 18 years who are routinely treated with aspirin (They are at risk of developing Reye's Syndrome after contracting influenza)

Health care personnel, and volunteers, who care for chronically ill individuals in their homes, and health care personnel who care for chronically ill and/or elderly patients in hospitals or institutions

People who serve in key public positions or provide vital community services

Anyone who will travel to tropical countries throughout the year or to destinations in the Southern Hemisphere between April and September

Anyone at any age who wants to reduce the risk of contracting flu

Children and adults may be vaccinated in any of the leading HMOs. The Meuhedet health fund is offering free vaccinations to members age 50 or older. Maccabi offers free vaccines to members age 55 and over. Clalit Health Services must be 65 to be exempt from payment. All offer free vaccinations to members of high risk groups. According to the Ministry of Health spokesman's office, Leumit offers free vaccinations only to members of high risk groups.

In any case, fees for vaccination in all the HMOs are nominal (about NIS 11-12) and less than what HMOs pay to procure vaccines.

Adults and children who meet age and high risk criteria will receive vaccinations in their HMOs. Those who do not will be required to obtain a doctor's prescription to purchase vaccinations privately. The cost of a flu vaccine is NIS 53.70, according to the Ministry of Health.

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