More than 80 babies vaccinated against measles after exposure by sick father
Mayanei HaYeshua hospital decided to vaccinate 24 premature babies and 60 babies who were in the adjacent hospital.
By CASSANDRA GOMES-HOCHBERGUpdated: JANUARY 6, 2019 07:10A vial of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and an information sheet is seen at a hospital(photo credit: REUTERS/BRIAN SNYDER)
More than 80 premature and newborn babies were vaccinated against measles following the exposure by a sick person who visited the Mayanei Hayeshua hospital in Bnei Brak on Thursday, Israel Hayom reported.A father, who felt ill and did not report his conditions to the nurses, insisted on visiting his premature son. After checking the symptoms of his illness, he was diagnosed with measles.Mayanei HaYeshua hospital decided to vaccinate 24 premature babies and 60 babies who were in the adjacent hospital.Measles vaccine is given only from the age one. Premature and newborn babies were not vaccinated with the regular vaccine, but with a passive immunization."From now on, we will also guard the entry of adults and also hang signs around the hospital that ask visitors with fever or bloating not to enter the hospital," said Prof. Motti Ravid, the director of the hospital to Israel Hayom. "This is a wild and inconsiderate act," he added.According to the Health Ministry, there were 948 measles cases in October and 893 cases in November. As of the last week of December, there had been 194 cases.The Health Ministry reported in the middle of 2018, that 90% of the cases in Israel were either people who had not been vaccinated, or who came into contact with unvaccinated people.Uri Bollag contributed to this report.
