Haredi Health Minister Refuses To Order Swine Flu Vaccine

Rabbi Yaakov Litzman refuses to order the vaccine. Professional staff fears the worst.

Litzman downplays swine flu concerns
THE JERUSALEM POST

Israel does not, at this point in time, need to conduct a massive purchase of H1N1 vaccinations, as the antidote is currently not fully ready, Deputy Health Minister Ya'acov Litzman said on Wednesday, while admitting that professionals in his ministry are in favor of such a purchase in face of their prediction that one of four Israelis will contract swine flu over the winter.

Speaking on Army Radio, Litzman maintained that Tamiflu, an anti-viral drug that reduces the risk of complications, is sufficient means for dealing with the spreading epidemic.

"There is currently no vaccination going on in Israel," Litzman said. "We would be prepared to invest a lot of funds into it, but there is simply no need. And besides, by the time the vaccination would arrive, the winter will already have passed."

Litzman addressed fears within the professional ranks of his office, according to which if Israel does not hurry up and order the vaccination, the stock will already be exhausted by orders placed by other Western countries.

"There is no point in putting money into a vaccination, without definite knowledge of its efficiency. While the assessment that many people will contract the virus in the winter may prove correct, there is no need to worry - there are antidotes, and the illness is mild," he said.

On Monday, the Health Ministry announced the first patient to die of complications of the H1N1 virus in Israel.

The man, 35, died at Josephthal Hospital in Eilat over the weekend. He had been described by the ministry as "overweight and a heavy smoker" because of a 30 body-mass index and having smoked one-and-a-half packs of cigarettes a day for years, but the family has filed a malpractice suit, claiming his case was "not treated seriously enough" at the southern government hospital.

So far, about 1,500 cases - about 30 or 40 new cases a day - have been reported in Israel. Others have gone unreported, with people who feel unwell just staying at home and not going to their doctors.

Litzman's ministry is planning a public education campaign for the autumn to reduce prevalence of the flu and to encourage vaccination against conventional influenza, which could combine with H1N1 virus.

Judy Siegel contributed to this report.

Comments

[SJ]

Did the hareidi health minister order chumases for everyone to study? XD

[Dr. Dave]

Are they at least ordering antiflu medications such as Tamiflu?

[seymour]

well it might have nothing to do that he is Haredi it might be that he thinks this way.

well at least he did not say just go learn a little more and you won't get sick

[Ben]

Many doctors here hold the same opinion. In this case it has nothing to do with Lintzman being haredi.

Probability of dying of swine flu so far is not exceeding that of dying of any normal flu.

It is also true that the vaccine that US selling is not formulated for swine flu and there are big doubts about its effectiveness in the medical community.

[mkarpas]

Last update - 17:23 29/07/2009 from haaretz


PM orders purchase of swine flu vaccine for every Israeli

By Barak Ravid and Dan Even, Haaretz Correspondents

Tags: vaccine, health, swine flu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an order on Wednesday for the purchase of swine flu vaccines, as the Health Ministry warned that more than 700,000 Israelis were expected to contract the virus.

Netanyahu convened a meeting with a Health Ministry task force, after which he decided to order enough vaccines to supply all the citizens of Israel.

In addition, Deputy Health Minister Ya'akov Litzman came to an agreement with Netanyahu to increase the nation's flu medication reserves by five percent, so that the amount will be sufficient to treat 30 percent of the population rather than just a quarter.

[effie]

Good for Netanyahu.

[Althelion]

If you're good you won't get sick.

If you get sick, you haven't been good.

A vaccine may prevent you from getting sick AND hide the fact that you haven't been good.

You can't hide from the truth unless it is not true.

The Israeli government did not get our hechshir on this vaccine.

Only goyim should take this vaccine.

Happy Tisha B'Av

[SJ]

Hey Althelion retard, I bet you think vegetables are only for goyem too. XD

Study Toyrah and no need for vegetables. XD

[Althelion]

Facetious (adjective): Tongue in cheek; intended to be humorous.

[SJ]

My bad.

[Althelion]

Thank you. I take it as a compliment when my satire can provoke outrage. See, the thing is, somewhere in the haredi world an all-wise, omnipotent gadol is extolling those very same illogical and ultimately dangerous sentiments.

And the willing followers follow their bouncing rav.

[SJ]

Funny thing is some of them probably really think study toyrah and no need for vegetables. XD

[ah-pee-chorus]

in what way has he been trained to be a health minister?

[Althelion]

"in what way has he been trained to be a health minister?"

He went to the University of Nepotism Medical School

[Althelion]

At the University of Nepotism, it's better to know someone than to know something.

[L. Krawitz]

Its not only the articles that make me come back to this site each day, its also the intelligent and amusing repartee.

I love it.

Nothing like bright peopling sparing in cyber space.

[pierre]

Considering the conditions under which many charedim live, and their large numbers of mixed and jumbled children, this is very scary for one of them to be in such opposition.

[SJ]

Four Brooklyn yeshivas close cause of swine flu- http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/131543

Jews have no genetic or supernatural immunity to this crap.

[Mr. Apikoros]

If God can part the Red Sea, he can cause the flu bug to pass over Mea Shearim.

[SJ]

The hareidi health minister ordered kaballah red strings for every israeli to keep the swine flu away from them. XD

[effie]

Wow. The guy died this weekend and his family already filed a lawsuit? I'd check to see if the family didn't hurry his demise.

[R]

Tamiflu is not a vaccine and will not stop you getting flu. It will also not stop you dying from the flu if you also have underlying problems such as asthma or infections. Tamiflu will only repress symptoms and possibly make your flu last a couple of days less.
This health minister should be kicked off the job as he is showing his ignorance in medical health at an alarming rate.

[William Dwek]

The Swine Flu is common in PIGS.

This is a clear indication that it is the Dayanim (“Judges”) and “Rabbis” of today who are the PIGS and swines.

They twist and use the Torah for their own power and commercial benefit.

They are corrupt. And they are interested in only one thing:

MONEY.

Not the Torah.

[William Dwek]

When “dayanim” and “rabbis” use the Torah for their own power and commercial profit, this is the behaviour of a swine i.e. a Pig.

No other “rabbi” will ever act against another “rabbi” - even when he knows his colleague is clearly desecrating the Torah. Each rabbi is only worried about losing his own position.

Therefore, the “rabbi” and “dayan” will never effect justice. And he will never truly stand for the Torah or the Honour of Hashem. His pocket will always prevail.

The Torah must never be used for commercial gain and profit. Am Yisrael can only be lead by those who have the necessary love and respect of Hashem and the Torah.

[William Dwek]

1. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may use lies. They turn the innocent into the guilty, and the guilty, become the innocent. They will not hesitate to tell lies in the Synagogue.

2. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may steal. They steal and siphon off money for themselves, from the community and individuals.

3. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may commit murder. They may shame a fellow Jew in public, even repeatedly. This is one of the most vile acts of murder in Jewish law – and they know this.

4. The “dayan” and “rabbi” will not hesitate to use Lashon Hara (the “Evil Tongue”) to suit his own ends. Slander and gossip. This too, is one of the worst acts of murder in Jewish Law. Their slander is never challenged by the community, because they hold positions of power. And the slander may begin with the Rebbetzin herself.

5. The “dayanim” and “rabbis” worship idols and other gods. Their only god is Money. Especially the “Dayanim” – the “Judges” who sit on a Beit Din. They only care about their high incomes and retirement packages. They have little or no love for the Torah or Hashem.

In the case of Lubavitch/Chabad, all their rabbis are carrying out a form of Avodah Zarah – strange worship. They are using mediation and intercession. This is completely forbidden, and against the Torah. We are only to pray to Hashem, directly ourselves.

6. When the NAME of Hashem has been taken in Vain – repeatedly - by reshaim, the “rabbi” will turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the

CHILLUL HASHEM.

This is the abhorrent behaviour of a Pig. This is an extremely severe and dangerous situation. There is NO forgiveness for this evil sin and aveirah.

7. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may also offer large bribes, tell lies and bring False Witnesses – when he in fact has committed the crime. These are heinous acts of the most despicable kind. This is especially vile when the “dayan” is sitting on a “Beit Din.”

8. The “rabbi” may commit adultery. And when he gets divorced, he may spread slander about his own ex-wife, blackening her name – when in fact he was at fault.

9. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may also desecrate Shabbat – if it suits him. He will use physical violence against another Jew or Jewess at any time. This evil and venomous behaviour is 100% against the Torah.

10. The “dayanim” and “rabbis” have also carried out evil acts of kidnapping and assault-but they do not go to prison. Charges are never brought against these criminals. Why not?