You Won't Believe What the Health Ministry Just Recommended for This Year's Flu Season!

The Health Ministry of Israel has issued a critical health advisory as the nation braces for a potentially severe flu season, warning at-risk populations to wear masks in enclosed spaces and at large gatherings. This recommendation comes amid a global surge in influenza cases, with some experts referring to the current outbreak as a “super flu.”

Recent data from the National Center for Disease Control shows a worrying spike in influenza infections. During the week ending December 6, Israel reported 513 new positive cases of influenza A and one case of influenza B among hospitalized patients across 14 monitored hospitals. Community clinics have also reported an increase in cases.

Tragically, the surge has already resulted in the deaths of four children from influenza. Of these, three were unvaccinated, while one suffered from serious underlying health conditions. Since the flu season commenced, a total of 633 children have been hospitalized, with 35 requiring intensive care. In addition, around 900 adults have been hospitalized, including 36 in intensive care.

“We are preparing for a severe winter morbidity season, severe influenza morbidity, and our guiding principle is preventive caution,” stated Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov at a news briefing. Following extensive discussions with health experts, he emphasized the importance of vaccination and urged at-risk populations, particularly those with chronic illnesses and individuals over the age of 65, to consider wearing masks in specific settings like nursing homes and during healthcare visits.

While the mask-wearing guideline is not mandated, Bar Siman Tov highlighted its relevance for vulnerable groups: “Like the vaccine, the mask may not be pleasant and may not provide 100% protection, but it does no harm.” Moreover, medical staff have been instructed to wear masks when interacting with at-risk individuals, and healthcare workers displaying symptoms of illness are advised to refrain from working for at least five days.

In preparation for the anticipated flu season, the Health Ministry had already reinforced staffing levels in emergency departments and internal medicine wards. “Crowding is not a decree from heaven,” Bar Siman Tov stated, underscoring the need for public cooperation in vaccination to help mitigate illness. The ministry has modified the operating model of internal medicine wards in recent years, leading to a consistent decline in occupancy that allows for improved care during peak times. “Nothing is perfect; we still have room to improve,” he added.

Influenza, characterized by its viral attack on the respiratory tract, is known to have three strains: A, B, and C, with strain A being responsible for most seasonal flu cases. This year, an earlier-than-expected rise in cases has been attributed to a new sub-variant of influenza A, referred to as H3N2 type K. This variant has prompted concern as it spreads more rapidly than previous strains, leading to increased morbidity levels in several countries, including Japan.

Despite the surge in cases, the Health Ministry has not reported any unusual increase in severe pediatric illnesses or hospitalization rates. “We know that influenza can surprise,” Bar Siman Tov noted, expressing hope that the morbidity curve would stabilize in the coming weeks.

The vaccination campaign appears to be gaining traction, with more than 1.5 million people vaccinated as of early this week, representing approximately 15.7% of the population. This marks an increase of over two percentage points in less than ten days and a four percent rise compared to the previous month. However, officials express concern over relatively low vaccination rates among the elderly, with only 50.1% of those aged 65 and older

The World Health Organization determines the flu vaccine composition annually, with the K sub-variant first identified globally in the summer of 2025. Preliminary data indicates that the flu vaccines available in Israel this season provide significant protection against severe illness and death from the dominant strains. According to interim estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine was effective in preventing hospitalization during the last flu season, with effectiveness rates between 41% to 55% among adults and even higher rates of 63% to 78% among children and adolescents.