Teen Hospitalized in Serious Condition From Flu Complication

The girl arrived at the hospital early Monday morning suffering from a severe infection and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Her condition deteriorated rapidly within hours, first in the emergency department and then in the pediatric intensive care unit, where she is receiving medication to support her blood pressure. Dr. Noa Rosenfeld, director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Assuta Ashdod, warned that influenza is not necessarily a mild illness, and even healthy children and teenagers can develop life-threatening complications from it.

The case comes amid low flu vaccination rates in Israel. According to the Ministry of Health, only about 4.9% of those covered by health funds had received the flu vaccine by October 18. Since the start of the season, 359 flu-positive patients have been hospitalized across 14 Israeli hospitals, including 72 children, four of whom required intensive care. During the previous 2025-2026 season, 4,526 flu-positive patients were hospitalized in Israel, including 75 children in intensive care units.