A report from the Ministry of Health in Jerusalem details a measles outbreak in 2025-26 with an unusually high number of cases and mortality in children, especially in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. SPR vaccination coverage in children aged 1 to 6 has dropped significantly.
The infection rate in Jerusalem was 15 times higher than in the rest of Israel. Of 1,289 patients, 11 children died, with a pediatric mortality rate of 0.9%. The median age of the deceased children was 1.4 years, and nine of them were unvaccinated. The overall measles mortality rate in Jerusalem was 1.1 per 100,000 people, and in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods, it was 80.1 per 100,000 in children under 5. 95.4% of patients were unvaccinated.
Factors such as overcrowding, distrust in the government, and avoidance of healthcare contributed to the outbreak. Vaccination at 6 months and culturally adapted interventions are recommended.
