Jerusalem parents scrambling to get their kids vaccinated – Israel News

The uptick in reported cases of measles in Israel, particularly in Jerusalem, has brought parents to clinics and doctors' offices to vaccinate their children.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry said the total number of measles cases in the country has reached 1,401, most of which are in Jerusalem with 838 residents infected – and the vast majority of these cases are in ultra-orthodox families.

After an emergency meeting on Monday, the ministry institutes new "intensive" measures to increase the number of cases by family health (tipat halav) clinics until 8:00 pm for vaccinations; recruiting more nurses and medical staff to administer vaccinations; mobile dispatching vaccination units to specific neighborhoods where parents typically do not vaccinate their children; and denying access to schools and certain areas in hospitals that have not been vaccinated.

The ministry's efforts appear to be working, in the Nahlaot neighborhood.

The waiting room was full of parents and the floor was strewn with babies in the floor and the floor was closed to the floor – everyone had to be vaccinated against the measles.

A majority of the families were of religious backgrounds.

Two mothers with toddlers told The Jerusalem Post that they were waiting to give their children their first round of vaccinations against the measles.

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One mother donning a long skirt and head covering who did not give her name to the Post: "I did not vaccinate my children before, but after the news of the outbreak, I decided it's time." A mother of a 15-month- old toddler echoed her concern and action.

In Israel, the tipat halav ("drop of milk") centers provide for early childcare for mothers and their children. One of the main services they offer is vaccinations against infectious diseases such as the measles.

Maya Asher, mother of a two-year-old in Jerusalem's German Colony, told the Post that it was not a question that she should vaccinate her child; it is necessary to have her, to the local clinic to immunize her, not just from the measles but of all the infectious diseases from which she could protect her child.

Babies aged two months and up against the measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

Asher explains that at the day of care, where are they, all of the mothers, who are of secular or national-religious streams, are aware of this outbreak, are vaccinating their children and are questioning their origin from the haredi community.

"I was sure they were coming from these 'anti-vaccination hippie people,' but the other mothers – and now I – are starting to think that the ultra-Orthodox families are not immunizing their children." She said.

Asher is now concerned that she may need to get rid of this vaccine.

Last week, 18-month-old baby died from contracting the measles from her parents. This was the first measles casualty in Israel in 15 years.