Israel Launches Annual Flu Vaccination Campaign for 2026-2027 Winter Season

Clalit Health Services is commencing its annual influenza vaccination campaign this week, targeting the upcoming 2026-2027 winter season. Initially, vaccinations will be administered at central clinics and dedicated vaccination sites. The campaign will gradually expand to all Clalit clinics nationwide as more vaccine shipments arrive.

This year, Clalit has procured over one million doses of injectable flu vaccine and an additional 25,000 doses of nasal spray vaccine. Last winter, approximately 980,000 individuals received the flu shot through Clalit's campaign, with a vaccination rate of 55% among those aged 65 and older.

The flu vaccine is known to reduce the risk of contracting the illness by 40-60% and significantly lowers the likelihood of severe illness, complications such as pneumonia, and hospitalization. Health authorities recommend the vaccine for everyone aged six months and older.

Priority groups for vaccination include individuals with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, other metabolic disorders, kidney and liver diseases, those with compromised immune systems, and individuals with severe obesity. Also recommended are children from six months to five years old, people aged 50 and above (particularly those over 65), pregnant women and those within three months postpartum, as well as residents of nursing homes, geriatric facilities, social care institutions, and boarding schools.