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.

Scientists find proof of brain activity measurably boosting vaccine response

The study suggests that activating the brain’s reward system before vaccination can enhance antibody production.

JANUARY 22, 2026|ByPESACH BENSON/TPS

Tel Aviv University, 15 March, 2021.

Cases of the measles rise in Israel.

Eleven-month-old baby becomes 13th victim of Israel's measles outbreak

The Health Ministry reiterated that children should receive two MMR doses, at age one and again at age six. In outbreak zones, the second dose has been moved to 18 months.

JANUARY 9, 2026|ByDR. ITAY GAL

Flu shot

Israel reports first bird flu outbreak in a year after disease detected in ducks in North

The outbreak, the first in a year in Israel, was detected in a flock of 2,000 ducks in the village of Sde Yaakov, causing the death of 90 birds, the Paris-based WOAH said.

JANUARY 6, 2026|ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

IDF soldiers demolish the home of terrorist Jamil Samara in Burkin, October 22, 2025.

Health index 2025: 39% of IDF soldiers report urgent need for mental health care

Among IDF soldiers, the picture is even more severe, with 39% reporting a need for mental health support, 26% expressing concern about depression, and 48% reporting sleep disturbances.

DECEMBER 31, 2025|ByDR. ITAY GAL

What's behind the recent Moderna cancer ‘vaccine’ announcement?

World-renowned Hebrew University cancer researcher urges caution about claimed ‘breakthrough’ and terminology.

APRIL 11, 2023ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

A sign marks the headquarters of Moderna Therapeutics, which is developing a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., May 18, 2020

Arbutus files patent infringement lawsuit against Pfizer/BioNTech over COVID shots

The lawsuit by Arbutus and Genevant says Pfizer/BioNTech engaged in licensing discussions for the technology but they did not "result in a settlement."

APRIL 4, 2023ByREUTERS

Pfizer's COVID vaccine factory: Witnessing a modern miracle

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine was the first shot approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use, and Israel was the first country to mass vaccinate its population.

MARCH 25, 2023ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

VACCINE VIALS travel along the conveyor belt at the Pfizer Purrs manufacturing and packing site.

Israel wasted millions on development of COVID vaccine - comptroller

Netanyahu wasted a huge amount of money on developing an Israeli COVID vaccine at a lab unsuited for the job – and it failed anyway.

MARCH 14, 2023ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

Vials containing the corona vaccine and a syringe are displayed in front of an Israeli flag.

Sleeping less than six hours will decrease vaccine effectiveness - study

The multi-institution study, published in the peer-reviewed academic journal Current Biology, sheds light on the link between sleep duration and antibody response.

MARCH 13, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

ADULTS SHOULD aim for seven to nine hours, and older adults should aim for seven to eight hours.

mRNA could make flu vaccines more effective - here's how

The World Health Organization reported that as many as 5 million people suffer from severe cases of influenza each year.

MARCH 13, 2023ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

THE MRNA TECHNIQUE may mean that future pandemics can be dealt with far more quickly.

Could vaccines be a cure for antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

Israeli scientists announce 100% effectiveness of mRNA vaccine against Black Plague-causing bacteria in preclinical trial performed on mice.

MARCH 11, 2023ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

Running RNA gel

Polio will never be gone without full vaccination - Israeli immunologist

There are 150,000 Israeli children who have not been vaccinated against polio at all, the Health Ministry says.

FEBRUARY 28, 2023ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

A child receives free polio vaccine during a government-led mass vaccination program in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 14, 2019.

Netanyahu urges ministers to 'strike judicial reform protestors' lies'

The prime minister made these statements during a cabinet meeting regarding the protests against the reform.

FEBRUARY 25, 2023ByELIAV BREUER, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in the prime minister's office Jerusalem, February 19, 2023.

‘Hindsight is 20/20’: Israel's lessons after 3 years of COVID-19

HEALTH AFFAIRS: On Israel’s three-year COVID anniversary, ‘czars’ look forward and back.

FEBRUARY 17, 2023ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

RONNI GAMZU, then-CEO of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, receives a COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020.