Shaare Zedek Treats Unvaccinated Six-Month-Old for Bacterial Meningitis

Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem disclosed on October 14 that a six-month-old who had not received routine childhood vaccinations was being treated for bacterial meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The infant arrived with high fever and received antibiotics and close monitoring in pediatric intensive care. His condition stabilized and he was fully conscious, with transfer to the pediatric ward expected. Dr. Amir Zilcha, a senior pediatric intensive-care physician, warned that bacterial meningitis can cause lasting neurological harm and that routine vaccination can prevent potentially life-threatening illness.