The Israel Ministry of Health reported Sunday on an additional measles death in the country.
A two-and-a-half-year-old toddler who was not vaccinated against measles has died from the disease. This is the eighth death from measles since the beginning of the outbreak – all of them are healthy children with no underlying diseases who were not vaccinated against measles.
In addition, a six-and-a-half-year-old child from the south of the country who was not vaccinated against measles is on ventilators due to the disease.
The Ministry of Health reiterates that measles is a preventable disease through an effective and safe vaccine.
It is recommended that all children be vaccinated at the age of one and at the age of six (as part of the routine vaccination program) in places with an outbreak:
Introduction of the second dose of the vaccine to the age of one and a half.
Recommendation for additional vaccination for infants aged 6-11 months in outbreak areas and when traveling to places with an outbreak.
Areas currently defined as having an outbreak: Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modi’in Illit, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, Safed, Netivot and the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been 1,778 recorded cases of the measles and 574 hospitalizations. Of the 1,778 total cases, 91 percent, or 1,622 of the cases were in children 9 years og age and younger, with the bulk of cases being in kids ages 1 to 4 years of age.
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Following the ministry’s efforts to increase vaccination coverage, there has been a 500% increase in vaccinations in Jerusalem and an even higher increase of 630% in Beit Shemesh since September, compared to the same period last year, according to the ministry.