Vaccine

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides immunity to a specific disease. It usually contains a weakened or inactive form of the disease which then stimulates the body's immune system to recognize it as a threat and destroy it, giving it the means to destroy any further versions of it that it may encounter in the future.

Vaccines have been proven to be the most effective method of preventing and eradicating infectious diseases. The complete eradication of smallpox and significant reduction of polio, measles, and tetanus have proven as such.

Vaccines lead to a phenomenon known as "herd immunity" in which diseases cannot spread with ease as the majority of a population are vaccinated. However, herd immunity can only work if a certain percentage of the population is vaccinated.

Most vaccines are delivered via injection, although notable exceptions include the polio vaccine which is often delivered orally. This method was found to have certain advantages as it allowed for administration by staff without formal training, and reduced the risk of blood contamination.

New York declares first US measles disaster emergency since 2025 surge

The state expanded the pool of health professionals allowed to administer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines as cases rise in rural communities.

OCTOBER 6, 2026|ByREUTERS

Measles infection (illustrative)

In a large European study, it was found that administering the protection reduced the risk of hospitalization due to RSV by about 83%.

The vaccine that reduced the risk of infant hospitalization by 83%

Some 130,000 infants in Israel have already received protection against RSV, and in Europe, an 83% decrease in the risk of hospitalization was measured. What should parents know before the winter?

SEPTEMBER 30, 2026|ByPROF. DOV ALBUKREK

Heidi Overton, President Trump's nominee to be the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, listens as US President Donald Trump speaks during a healthcare affordability event in the Oval Office.

Senate panel questions Trump FDA nominee Heidi Overton on vaccines, abortion pill, agency morale

The agency, responsible for regulating and approving all drugs, treatments, and vaccines, has faced concerns that it has become too political.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026|ByREUTERS

Bill Gates departs following a closed door interview before the House Oversight Committee investigating late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, June 10, 2026.

Bill Gates: Anti-vaccine attitudes in rich countries makes herd immunity for measles impossible

Gates said that vaccine hesitancy had at least not spread to lower-income countries, where measles can be much deadlier than in richer countries due to malnutrition and healthcare gaps.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2026|ByREUTERS

WHO sends over 1 million polio vaccines to Gaza to protect children

Cases of polio have declined by 99% worldwide since 1988 thanks to mass vaccination campaigns and efforts continue to eradicate it completely.

JULY 26, 2024ByREUTERS

Palestinian children react near the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip earlier this year..

IDF begins vaccinating soldiers in Gaza against polio

The Technological and Logistics Directorate began a broad vaccination operation for all the regular and reserve maneuvering forces.

JULY 21, 2024ByDR. ITAY GAL

A coronavirus vaccine dose is seen being administered at a Meuhedet vaccination center in Jerusalem, on February 16, 2021.

Combating disease outbreaks in Israel: The vaccines your children need

What do the vaccines protect against, when are they administered, and how long does the immunity last?

JULY 1, 2024ByDR. ITAY GAL

The vaccine is given as part of the routine immunization schedule in a combination shot, and it provides protection for about ten years. (Illustrative).

Ichilov Hospital launches West Nile virus clinical trial amid rising concerns

Ichilov Hospital starts clinical trial for Interferon against West Nile virus. Dr. Alrai-Price addresses spread of disease, urging people to "Avoid places with mosquitos in residential areas."

JUNE 25, 2024ByAVIHAI CHIIM

An Aedes aegypti mosquito is kept in a container in Buenos Aires, Argentina March 13, 2024.

Is an AIDS vaccine on the way?

GSK has completed its first stages of clinical research on an injection that could replace the daily pill currently being used to prevent HIV infection and to treat HIV positive carriers.

MARCH 10, 2024ByDR. ITAY GAL

A Prp shot

WHO reports largest drop in child vaccination in around three decades

Pioneering research reveals how empathetic communication can help overcome hesitation to roll up their sleeves to protect health.

MARCH 5, 2024ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

More than half the world faces high measles risk, WHO says

Cases last year were already up 79% to over 300,000, according to WHO data, - thought to represent just a fraction of the total.

FEBRUARY 20, 2024ByREUTERS

A CHILD with measles.

Putin says Russia is close to creating cancer vaccines

Putin did not specify which types of cancer the proposed vaccines would target nor how.

FEBRUARY 14, 2024ByREUTERS

Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech on the occasion of the New Year, 31.12.2023

World's first: Patients treated with new cancer vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines inspired UK doctors to use mRNA for precise, less toxic cancer treatment. The results seem promising for all types of cancer.

FEBRUARY 6, 2024ByDORON KOOPERSTEIN

A coronavirus vaccine dose is seen being administered at a Meuhedet vaccination center in Jerusalem, on February 16, 2021.

Breakthrough CMV vaccine offers hope to pregnant women

The vaccine, known as mRNA-1647, utilizes the same technology as Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines.

FEBRUARY 4, 2024ByDR. ITAI GAL

A pregnant woman gets vaccinated (illustrative).