Parents' decision not to vaccinate their children with recommended routine vaccines is a phenomenon that has been gaining momentum in Israel in recent years. This is according to a report by the State Comptroller, retired Judge Yosef Shapira, published today (Wednesday). According to the report, tens of thousands of children in Israel, mainly residents of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods in Jerusalem, have not been vaccinated with some of the important vaccines, and there is a great danger of disease outbreaks among them.
The Ministry of Health recommends vaccinations for infants and toddlers as well as children that may prevent about 14 infectious diseases. These vaccines are included in the health basket and begin with the baby's first year and continue through eighth grade for boys. The number of children who have been vaccinated stands at 95%. This number is considered high, but the remaining percentages indicate tens of thousands of children who have not yet been vaccinated, most of them from ultra-Orthodox and Arab areas.
The Comptroller states that the Ministry of Health must act with all the tools at its disposal to increase the percentage of those vaccinated and public awareness of the importance of vaccination.
The Haredi sector: Shortage of Tipot Halav nurses
In relation to the milk drops, the auditor points out a problem in the transfer of information. According to him, the milk drop stations do not receive ongoing information about babies who have been born, even though the Ministry of Health receives monthly information about this. According to the auditor, a constellation could arise in which the milk drop stations would not know at all about a baby who has been born if the mother does not contact the station on her own initiative. This situation could result in many babies not receiving the required vaccinations at all.
The inspector also found a shortage of nurses at some of the stations, compared to what the Ministry of Health requires. This is especially true in the Haredi sector, where there are 20 unfilled positions, which causes a workload for the nurses employed at these stations.
The Comptroller suggests that the Ministry of Health establish rules regarding the availability and accessibility of the service provided at Tipat Halav stations. For example, he recommends examining ways to increase cooperation between the funds regarding the provision of Tipat Halav services, and even considering providing financial compensation to a fund that provides services to insured members of other funds.
With these proposals, the Comptroller seeks to reduce the duplication of infrastructure associated with the operation of several milk stations in the locality.
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