Flu vaccines

Flu shot for 2023-2024

Maccabi’s flu vaccination campaign has begun, with vaccines being gradually distributed to all clinics nationwide.

Appointments to be vaccinated are scheduled based on vaccine arrivals at various clinics.

You can check the availability of appointments at your nearest clinic through the Maccabi app, website, or call center.

Who is eligible?

The flu shot is recommended for everyone over 6 months old, particularly at-risk populations:

• Adults over 50, especially those over 65
• Individuals with chronic illnesses, ages 6 months and older
• Individuals with obesity
• Pregnant women
• Women up to 3 months after giving birth
• Children aged 6 months and older with chronic illnesses
• Babies and children aged 6 months to 12 years
• Individuals aged 6 months to 18 years receiving long-term treatment with aspirin, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome if they contract the flu
• Individuals residing or working in fully or partially residential institutions such as boarding schools, nursing homes, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, prisons, institutions for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, etc.
• Healthcare workers, emergency medical service volunteers, and students in health profession programs
• Caregivers and volunteers conducting home visits for high-risk individuals
• Household members and primary caregivers of individuals over 65 with chronic illnesses
• Individuals caring for infants under six months old
• Individuals working with domesticated or wild poultry

What does Maccabi provide?

The influenza vaccine is administered either by injection or nasal spray, depending on age and underlying diseases.

 

How much does it cost?

Free of charge.

Where is the service provided?

Find a clinic >

Offered by certain family doctors and ediatricians.

* Please inquire in advance with the doctor whether this vaccine is administered at their clinic.

Find a doctor >

Next steps

To make an appointment

No doctor's referral is required.

Make an appointment via Maccabi Online, the Maccabi app, or the call center at *3555.

It is recommended to bring your immunization record.

Members of the same family who wish to get vaccinated together must each make separate appointments

Important information:

To request a refund, please submit the following documents to Maccabi:

• • Individuals receiving home care - Home care nurses will visit the individual's home to administer the vaccine after coordinating with them or their family
  • It is permissible to receive other vaccines alongside the flu shot. It is possible to receive the flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine simultaneously
  • For infants under 12 months old, it is advisable to wait at least 3 days between the meningococcal B vaccine and the influenza vaccine

Flu vaccine - Questions and answers

Who should get vaccinated this year?

Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone, particularly for at-risk populations including individuals aged 65 and older, those with chronic or severe illnesses, children up to 12 years old, and pregnant women.

Who can get a flu vaccine this year?

The Ministry of Health broadly recommends the vaccine, especially for at-risk groups such as pregnant women, infants and children aged six months to 12 years, individuals with chronic illnesses, individuals aged 50 and above, and particularly those over 65.

When does vaccination begin this year?

Maccabi Healthcare Services will begin offering flu shots when the vaccines are distributed to clinics, starting in the first week of September. Vaccinations will be phased according to vaccine availability at clinics.

An appointment is required to receive the vaccine

Scheduling an appointment

There are several ways you can schedule an appointment for the flu shot :

• Via the Maccabi App
• Via Maccabi Online
• By calling the Maccabi Nonstop Call Center *3555
• A scheduling link will be sent in a text or voice message to specific populations

Can you get vaccinated at your family doctor's office?

Some family doctors may administer flu vaccines at their clinics. It is advisable to inquire with the doctor beforehand.

Can a patient receiving nursing care at a clinic also get a flu vaccine?

A Maccabi member receiving nursing care in a different appointment at a clinic can also receive a flu vaccine during the same visit to the nurse.

Can you receive the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine simultaneously?

Yes. You can receive both vaccines simultaneously or schedule separate appointments for the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine on the same day.

When does the vaccine take effect?

The flu vaccine begins to take effect within ten days to two weeks from the date of receiving it and is effective for the duration of the current winter season.

Where should children get vaccinated? At school or with Maccabi?

The Ministry of Health will vaccinate 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders at schools. The school will notify parents of vaccination dates. This option is recommended.

If a child misses the school vaccination, they can also get vaccinated at a Maccabi Nurses' Clinic by appointment

What about those who can't leave home for medical reasons?

Home visits by nurses can be arranged with a doctor's referral. Contact your family doctor to assess if a home visit is necessary based on the patient's condition. The doctor will issue a referral if needed.

Are vaccinations offered in nursing homes?

Flu vaccines for nursing home residents are supplied directly to the institution from Maccabi Pharm pharmacies

Nursing homes will provide a list of residents to the appropriate office, signed by a doctor, for vaccine distribution purposes

Nursing home staff will administer the vaccine to residents themselves

How will individuals receiving care at home receive the vaccine?

Home care patients will receive the flu vaccine at home from a nurse, who will coordinate with them in advance

Do those vaccinated last year need to be vaccinated again this year?

Yes. It is recommended to get vaccinated annually due to flu variants and corresponding changes in vaccine formulation.

Can you get the flu from the vaccine?

No. The flu vaccine consists of killed viruses and cannot cause the disease. It stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies, preventing illness and complications.

Is the vaccine safe? Are there side effects?

Generally, the flu vaccine does not cause side effects. Mild local side effects such as redness, pain, or swelling may occur, typically lasting one or two days after vaccination. Occasionally, mild general symptoms like fever, hoarseness, cough, eye irritation, muscle pain, headache, itching, and fatigue may arise, typically lasting a day or two after vaccination.

Fever-reducing medications can be taken if needed. Please consult a doctor if you experience a significant increase in temperature.

When is the best time to get vaccinated?

The ideal time to get vaccinated is in October-November, before flu season begins.

Is the nasal spray vaccine an alternative to the injection?

A live attenuated vaccine in the form of a nasal spray is available at Maccabi. The nasal spray vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 2 to 49, as per the indications

This year, a nasal spray vaccine will be administered in schools for children in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades

How much does the flu vaccine cost?

The flu vaccine is provided free of charge by health insurance funds.