Full coverage· Health· Updated 27 Oct, 13:12

Teenager Hospitalized With Flu Complication Shows Slight Improvement

A 17-year-old girl with no pre-existing medical conditions was hospitalized in serious condition at Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital on Monday, October 26, 2026, due to severe complications from the flu. The teenager, who had not been vaccinated against the virus, arrived at the hospital early in the morning suffering from a severe infection and critically low blood pressure. Her condition deteriorated rapidly within hours, leading to her being sedated, placed on a ventilator, and administered medication to support her blood pressure in the pediatric intensive care unit.

13 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 26 Oct, 16:08

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What happened

01A 17-year-old girl with no pre-existing conditions was hospitalized in serious condition at Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital on Monday, October 26, 2026, due to severe flu complications.
02The unvaccinated teenager suffered a severe infection and dangerously low blood pressure, requiring sedation, a ventilator, and blood pressure support.
03On Tuesday, October 27, the hospital reported slight respiratory and blood pressure improvements, though the patient remains sedated and on a ventilator.
04Dr. Noa Rosenfeld of Assuta Ashdod warned that influenza can cause life-threatening complications even in healthy young people.
05Only 4.9% of Israelis covered by health funds had received the flu vaccine as of October 18, amid an early and intense flu season.
06By late October, 359 flu patients had been hospitalized in 14 Israeli hospitals, including 72 children, with 17 patients in intensive care.
07Flu vaccine supply delays caused shortages in some clinics during October, with full distribution expected by mid-November.

Dr. Noa Rosenfeld, director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Assuta Ashdod, emphasized that the flu is not always a mild illness and can cause life-threatening complications even in healthy young people. She highlighted the case to underscore the importance of annual flu vaccination in reducing the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. On Tuesday, October 27, the hospital reported a slight improvement in the teenager's respiratory function and a decreased need for blood pressure support, though she remained sedated, on a ventilator, and in serious condition.

The incident occurred amid an early and intense flu season in Israel, with low initial vaccination rates. According to the Ministry of Health, only 4.9% of Israelis covered by health funds had received the flu vaccine by October 18. By late October, 359 flu patients had been hospitalized across 14 hospitals nationwide, including 72 children and adolescents, with 17 patients requiring intensive care. Vaccine supply delays affected availability in October, with some clinics reporting shortages, though full distribution was expected by mid-November.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 9 newsrooms. Updated 28 Oct, 08:01

Latest report: Now 14. Read Now 14’s original

Who reports what

“Flu is not necessarily a mild illness, and even children and teenagers without pre-existing conditions can develop severe and life-threatening complications from it.”

per Dr. Noa Rosenfeld, Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Assuta Ashdod