Avihai Chiim

Avihai Chiim is the health and welfare correspondent for Walla.


Flu shot

Israel urges immediate vaccination as flu morbidity rises, orders 485,000 more vaccine doses

 A member of the medical staff receives a flu vaccine at the department where patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Havelhoehe community hospital in Berlin, Germany, October 30, 2020.

Four-year-old dies from flu in Israel's North in fifth fatal case this year

Nine-year-old Haymanot Kasau.

Nearly two year after disappearance: Police arrest suspect linked to missing girl Haymanut Kasa


Former IDF top lawyer Tomer-Yerushalmi released from Ichilov Hospital after nearly a month

She is expected to be summoned for questioning in the near future over the Sde Teiman leaked video affair. 

Former IDF Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi is released to house arrest outside the Neve Tirtza Women’s Prison in Ramla, November 7, 2025.

Nearly three million Israelis face food insecurity, including one million children, report finds

A report from the National Insurance Institute (NII) shows a slight improvement in access to food across Israel, but it also shows that geographical and economic food inequality persist.

'THERE IS such a big supply of food and so many hungry people; the problem is in the distribution and in the method of getting it out there.’

Israeli gov't approves 2026 health cm'tee to approve medications, tech with NIS 650 budget

The delay in appointing the committee persisted in recent months due to the lack of a sitting health minister.

Israel's Health Ministry.

Health ministry survey determines: This is the hospital Israelis are most satisfied with

The Soroka Medical Center, which was severely damaged by an Iranian missile, surpasses Sheba and Ichilov and leads the Health Ministry survey with 85% patient satisfaction.

The Soroka Medical Center leads with an 85% satisfaction rate

Forensic Institute head explains how slain Gaza hostages identified

In addition to identifying hostages, Institute of Forensic Medicine Director Dr. Chen Kugel spoke about the moment he found himself identifying the body of Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar.

Doctor Chen Kugel, head of Israel National Center of Forensic Medicine and his colleague, pass through a police cordon as they enter China's ambassador to Israel, Du Wei's house in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, Israel May 17, 2020.

Israel deports first Eritrean regime supporter after 14 years in the country

At 9:00 a.m., the Enforcement and Foreigners Administration of the Population and Immigration Authority began the deportation process.

The Eritrean regime-supporter being deported from Israel. November 3, 2025.

Over 1,700 cases of measles diagnosed in Israel

The areas currently defined as outbreak zones are Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modi’in Illit, Nof Hagalil, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, and Safed.

Cases of the measles rise in Israel.

Mental health crisis deepens for communities hit by October 7 attack

Two years on, many Gaza border and northern residents report worsening trauma, job loss, and fear of another October 7-style attack.

 Rita Lifshitz at her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

WHO: No evidence linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism

The clarification followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who had claimed such a connection existed at a press conference earlier that day.

Tylenol is displayed for sale at a pharmacy in New York City, New York, US, September 5, 2025.

Hostage mother: 'Netanyahu will forever be remembered as a murderer'

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said: "This is the 715th day that our children have been going through a Holocaust in the Hamas tunnels."

Einav Zangauker, mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, holds a placard with a picture of him at a protest to demand the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, August 17, 2025.