Tragic Death
Unvaccinated Haredi toddler dies from measles
A tragic new milestone in Israel’s measles outbreak: an unvaccinated 18-month-old toddler from Tiberias has died, marking the tenth fatality. Health officials warn parents to vaccinate children immediately and avoid crowded gatherings in outbreak zones to prevent further deaths.
Health authorities in Israel have confirmed the death of an 18-month-old toddler from Tiberias due to complications from measles. The child, who was not vaccinated against the virus, was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and became the tenth fatality in the ongoing outbreak. Most of the children who have died were previously healthy with no underlying conditions.
The Ministry of Health stressed that measles is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine and urged parents to seek medical care promptly if symptoms appear or exposure is suspected, emphasizing that timely treatment can save lives.
Current outbreak areas include Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modiin Illit, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, Safed, Netivot, Haifa, Tiberias, Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, and Tekoa Vaccination clinics have been set up in these cities, allowing children to receive doses without prior appointments to strengthen immunity efforts.
The Ministry recommends that unvaccinated individuals, as well as parents of infants aged 6–11 months who have received one vaccine dose, avoid large gatherings in outbreak zones. Vaccination guidance includes administering the first dose at one year of age, the second at six years, and in outbreak areas, advancing the second dose to 18 months, with an additional dose recommended for infants aged 6–11 months.