What’s happening
There has been notable resistance towards vaccinations among some members of Israel’s haredi (ultra-Orthodox) communities. This refusal to vaccinate children and pregnant women against diseases like whooping cough has led to tragic losses, including the recent deaths of two Jerusalem infants. Israeli public health experts are deeply concerned about the resurgence of these preventable diseases.
Why it matters
Vaccinations are imperative for safeguarding public health and ensuring community immunity (herd immunity) is maintained. The spread of misinformation and misplaced suspicions toward vaccines in certain communities poses a broader risk to Israel’s health system. Addressing and understanding these concerns can help tailor more effective public health strategies.
Driving the news
In Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center, a seven-week-old girl was admitted with severe complications from meningitis. Her mother, a member of the haredi community, had refused vaccination during pregnancy against pertussis. This tragic case highlights the dire consequences of vaccine hesitancy.
What they’re saying
Prof. Yechiel Schlesinger, director of the SZMC’s Wilf Children’s Hospital, stresses that pediatric diseases like pertussis should not exist if vaccination protocols are followed. He notes, “When pregnant mothers receive the pertussis shot in their third trimester, their antibodies safeguard their infants passively.”
Dr. Ze’ev Feldman, chairman of the State Doctors Organization, underscores the financial challenges, warning that cuts to healthcare funding, especially preventative services, severely undermine public health and national security.
Vaccines’ bad reputation among haredi groups
Hesitancy in the haredi communities stems from historical mistrust and misinformation. Despite efforts by obstetricians and healthcare professionals in local clinics, vaccine uptake remains low. Conversely, data shows that the Arab Israeli communities maintain higher compliance with vaccination recommendations.
State response and future actions
The general high level of public health in Israel is credited to its dedicated public health funds, despite being strained by recent funding cuts. Health experts like Prof. Nadav Davidowitch emphasize the urgency of fortifying public health activities and countering vaccine misinformation, promoting targeted awareness programs and enhanced healthcare resource deployment in underserved areas.
Increasing efforts to incorporate more community voices, particularly ultra-Orthodox healthcare professionals, and exploring comprehensive education drives could bridge gaps in vaccination awareness and resistance.
This story was first published on jpost.com.