Baruch Dayan HaEmet
10 year old Haredi girl dies from flu
A heartbreaking incident in central Israel: A 10-and-a-half-year-old girl succumbed to the flu overnight (Monday to Tuesday). The Ministry of Health has confirmed this as the first reported flu-related death this year.
In a tragic blow to a grieving family, 10-year-old Rachel Hyger from Modi'in Illit's Brachfeld neighborhood passed away from flu complications overnight (Monday to Tuesday).
The healthy Vizhnitz Hasidic girl, up-to-date on routine vaccines but unvaccinated against flu, suffered from a fever and a sore throat before arriving at the hospital in cardiac arrest, where she was pronounced dead. This marks Israel's first reported flu fatality of the year, per the Ministry of Health.
The loss compounds unimaginable sorrow: Rachel's death came just one day after her father ended shiva for her grandfather, Rabbi Nach Hyger z"l, a Vizhnitz Hasid from Bnei Brak who passed at a ripe age. The family, emerging from one mourning period, now faces another. Her funeral was held last night in Elad's cemetery, leaving the community in heavy mourning and the family reeling.
Israel's flu activity has crossed the epidemic threshold, with each case infecting more than one person on average, accelerating spread.
Officials urge vaccination for all aged 6 months+, prioritizing seniors 65+, chronic patients (e.g., diabetes, heart/lung issues, kidney failure, cancer), and children under 5. Free at clinics, vaccinating youth also shields adults indirectly.
Vaccination Stats Lag
Only 1.1 million (11%) of health plan members vaccinated so far, half aged 65+. High-risk gaps: ~60% of 65+ unvaccinated, ~85% chronic patients, ~77% pregnant women. This echoes warnings of a severe season, fueled by early outbreaks mirroring global trends.Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Explained
While not foolproof, the 2024-2025 flu vaccine is estimated at 40-60% effective in preventing illness overall, per CDC and WHO data.
It shines against severe outcomes:
Global Comparison: 2025 Season Echoes Past Outbreaks
This year's flu wave is proving brutal worldwide, with 2024-2025 U.S. activity at its highest since 2009's swine flu, per experts.
Australia saw a record 11% case increase over last year; U.S. deaths (already higher than 2023-2024's 27,965) and hospitalizations signal severity akin to post-COVID shifts.