Clalit, which provides healthcare services to more than half of Israel’s population, has secured an order of more than one million injectable influenza vaccines for the coming season, along with 25,000 nasal-spray doses. The nasal vaccine is designated for children and young adults between the ages of two and 49. Supplies are scheduled to arrive in Israel in several shipments during September and October, and Clalit plans to begin administering vaccines as soon as the first shipment is received.

The vaccination campaign will initially operate through designated vaccination centers and larger clinics. As more doses become available, vaccinations will be expanded to Clalit clinics throughout the country. The gradual rollout is intended to prioritize early protection for people considered most vulnerable to serious complications from influenza.

Ronen Nudelman, Clalit’s deputy director general and head of the community division, said the healthcare provider is prepared to carry out another extensive vaccination campaign. He noted that close to one million Clalit members received flu vaccinations during the previous winter, including approximately 55% of members aged 65 and above.

Nudelman explained that the speed of this year’s campaign will be determined by the arrival of vaccine shipments. Once each delivery reaches Israel, the doses will be rapidly allocated among vaccination centers and Clalit clinics across the country.

Sefy Sobel Roitblat, Clalit’s head of community nursing and director of its influenza vaccination campaign, warned that influenza can result in serious health complications, including pneumonia and hospitalization. She described vaccination as a well-established and effective way to lower the risk of illness and severe complications. Roitblat added that early vaccination gives the immune system sufficient time to develop protection before influenza activity generally increases during the winter, while reducing the likelihood of infection by approximately 40% to 60%.

Dr. Bat-Sheva Gotsman, an infectious disease specialist and Clalit community consultant, cautioned against treating influenza as a minor illness. She pointed to research indicating that the risk of suffering a heart attack may increase sixfold during the first week following an influenza infection, while the risk of stroke can also rise. Gotsman said influenza can occasionally trigger inflammation of the heart muscle and noted that vaccination may provide cardiovascular benefits in addition to protecting against respiratory disease.

Clalit recommends influenza vaccination for the general population beginning at six months of age. The recommendation applies broadly across age groups, with vaccination intended to provide protection ahead of the winter flu season.

Members of Clalit Mushlam who have a prescription from a physician can also obtain the antiviral drug Tamiflu at Clalit pharmacies with a 50% subsidy.