Flu Cases Rise in Israel, New Hospitalizations Reported
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
Influenza A hospitalizations in Israel have increased significantly, with 66 new cases reported in the last week, alongside a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations. The flu vaccination rate stands at a low 4.1%, though it is higher among the elderly at 16.7%. Since the monitoring period began, 277 flu-positive hospitalizations have been recorded, with individuals over 65 being the most affected group. The Ministry of Health is observing an upward trend in viral activity early in the flu season.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 66 new hospitalizations for Influenza A were reported in Israel in the past week.
- The overall flu vaccination rate among Israelis is a low 4.1% as of October 11.
- Individuals aged 65 and older represent the largest group of flu hospitalizations.
- COVID-19 activity among hospitalized patients has also seen an increase.
- RSV activity remains low with only two new positive cases reported.
- Vaccination rates vary significantly by age group, with the elderly having the highest uptake.
Influenza A cases are on the rise in Israel, with 66 new hospitalizations reported in the past week, according to the Ministry of Health's National Center for Disease Control. Concurrently, there has been an increase in COVID-19 activity among hospitalized patients. The flu vaccination rate remains low at just 4.1% of health fund members.
Since the monitoring period began in week 34 of 2026, a total of 277 flu-positive hospitalizations have been recorded across 14 general hospitals nationwide. Of these, 221 are adults, 54 are children, and two are pregnant women. The data, representing about 60% of Israel's hospital activity, indicates that individuals aged 65 and over constitute the largest group of flu hospitalizations, accounting for approximately 53% of all cases with 147 admissions. This age group is further broken down into 55 individuals aged 65-74, 60 aged 75-84, and 32 aged 85 and above.
In the last week alone, 55 adults, ten children, and one pregnant woman tested positive for the flu. Among the hospitalized adults, 50 were in internal medicine wards, three in intensive care, and two in high-dependency units. For children, nine were in pediatric wards and one in pediatric intensive care.
Alongside the flu surge, COVID-19 activity has also increased, with 63 new positive cases reported in the past week across 11 general hospitals. The proportion of hospitalized patients testing positive for COVID-19 rose from 2.9% to 4.2% in the monitored hospitals. In contrast, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity remains low, with only two new positive cases.
Despite the rising illness, the flu vaccination rate is notably low. As of October 11, 409,664 individuals have been vaccinated, representing 4.1% of all health fund members. Significant disparities exist, with vaccination rates at 16.7% for those 65 and older, compared to 1.9% for children aged two to five and 1.6% for children aged 5 to 12. Pregnant women have a vaccination rate of 6.9%. These figures emerge early in the flu season, with viral activity already increasing in hospitals and the community.
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