Curiously, only 1.3 percent of Israeli residents have received the H1N1 vaccination, although, the first 350,000 doses became available over a month ago. And, many of the 96,772 who were vaccinated work in the health system.
(Acccording to the latest figures of the Center for Disease Control.)
One possible explanation for the miniscule number of vaccinations is that Ha'aretz reports that Israel only has adjuvanted vaccine available currently; many MDs recommend that pregnant women avoid adjuvanted versions of the vaccine and many people are suspicious of the additives and the lack of vetting.
Although Prime Minister (and acting health minister) Binyamin Netanyahu has ordered 7.3 million doses of H1N1 vaccine - enough for every resident except for newborns, the average Israeli does not seem interested in getting the shot.
An 11-year-old girl, and two women aged 25 and 77 - all suffering from serious chronic illnesses - died on Monday after being infected with H1N1 virus, the Health Ministry said.
The first died at Haifa's Rambam Medical Center, the second at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the third at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon. They were the 61st, 62nd and 63rd Israelis listed as victims of the H1N1 flu strain, even though in none of the cases could the deaths be blamed on the virus due to lack of autopsies.
Around the world, about 8,200 people have died of H1N1 flu, according to the latest report.
