Four-Year-Old Hospitalized in Serious Condition With Meningococcal Infection

A four-year-old boy from Holon has been admitted to Wolfson Medical Center in serious but stable condition after contracting an invasive meningococcal infection. The child arrived at the emergency room with rapidly progressing symptoms, which led to the diagnosis after examination. Doctors are providing all necessary care to save his life.

Dr. Diana Tesher, head of the pediatric department at Wolfson, described meningococcal infection as one of the most aggressive and rapidly developing diseases in pediatrics. She warned that the bacteria can strike healthy individuals and cause organ failure, septic shock, and life-threatening conditions within hours.

This incident follows similar cases in June, where a three-year-old boy died from the infection at Ichilov Hospital, and a two-year-old boy died of sepsis, with the same diagnosis, at Soroka Hospital.

Medical professionals are emphasizing the importance of vaccination against Meningococcal B, the most common strain in Israel, which is recommended by the Pediatric Association. The Bexsero vaccine is available in Israel for this strain and is recommended by the Ministry of Health for infants and young children starting at two months old. The vaccination schedule involves doses at two months, four months, and a booster at one year.

However, the Bexsero vaccine is not typically covered by the national health basket for most children and is available for a fee from health funds, though it is included for certain at-risk groups.