The Health Ministry is launching a new program in Beit Shemesh: for every Charedi child vaccinated, local community activists and coordinators will receive 50₪. The initiative, called “V’nishmartem Me’od” (ונשמרתם מאוד), aims to respond to a severe measles outbreak that began in April 2025 and has claimed 14 young lives, mostly in Jerusalem.

The program focuses on Charedi communities, where vaccination rates are low. According to the ministry, the low vaccination rate isn’t about beliefs, it’s about access problems, distance, and limited exposure to regular media and official health campaigns.

Instead of general awareness campaigns, the ministry is offering a direct financial incentive: 50₪ for each child who receives a vaccination.

The goal of the trial is to vaccinate around 2,000 children in the coming weeks. The total budget is 125,000 - 100,000₪ for the performance-based incentive, and 25,000₪ for project coordination, support, and promotion. If this is successful, the model could expand to other locations across Israel.

The Health Ministry clarified that the budget is meant to fund community health coordinators and outreach efforts, not to pay families directly. This outcome-based incentive model is common in public health programs worldwide and aims to save future costs from illness and hospitalization.