Director Health Protection and Communicable Diseases at MoPH, Dr. Hamad Al Romaihi; and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal (right), addressing a press conference at the Medical City yesterday. Pic
Doha: The launch of the annual seasonal flu vaccination campaign will begin across the country from today with health officials describing it as “more important than ever” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, said cutting the risk of flu will protect the community and help the health system in times of COVID-19.
He also said that getting a flu vaccine can reduce the possibility of becoming co-infected with flu and COVID-19, which could end up with a severe illness.
“While the flu and COVID-19 are two different viruses, it is important to ensure you are protected against the seasonal flu this year,” Dr. Al Khal said addressing a press conference held yesterday to launch the seasonal flu campaign at the Medical City.
“Getting a flu shot this year is more important than ever because of COVID-19. The flu vaccine may not protect you against COVID-19, but it will reduce your risk of developing the flu and flu-related complications, and reduce the possibility of getting infected with both the flu and COVID-19 viruses at the same time,” he added.
Because flu and COVID-19 share similar symptoms, “it has the potential to create anxiety among people with COVID-19 still in our community,” said Dr. Al Khal.
The annual seasonal flu vaccination campaign is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and HMC.
The vaccine is available for free across all PHCC health centers, at HMC for patients attending clinic appointments and at more than 40 private clinics and hospitals as well as semi-governmental healthcare facilities, until March 2021.
Dr. Al Khal said the annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best and safest way to reduce the chances of catching the flu and potentially spreading it to others.
The circulating flu viruses change from year to year which is why it is important to receive the flu vaccine annually.
“As the influenza virus strains change most winters, you need to get immunized each year to be protected against new strains. We encourage people to come early to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu. It takes around two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu,” he said.
It is recommended that flu vaccine is safe for everyone above six months. Those aged over 50 and those with chronic conditions regardless of their age are also at greatest risk from the flu and its complications.
“Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk for the flu and its complications. This includes the elderly, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions. It is also important for healthcare workers to vaccinate themselves against the flu to protect their patients,” Dr. Al Khal added.
Being conducted for the sixth consecutive year, the campaign under the theme ‘Fight the Flu’ aims to vaccinate around 500,000 people, which is more than double from 200,000 during the previous season. The Director Health Protection and Communicable Diseases at MoPH, Dr. Hamad Al Romaihi, said that Qatar had taken steps to ensure anyone who needed the flu vaccine this year would be able to access it both safely and without cost.
“The vaccine is available for free across all PHCC health centers, and at many private and semi-governmental health centers. The Ministry of Public Health has built a strong partnership with private healthcare providers to ensure easy access to the vaccine and increase levels of immunization against the flu in our community. This year we have taken extra steps to ensure we ordered more flu vaccines than ever before to ensure widespread access to the vaccine,” said Dr. Al Romaihi.
Manager Health Protection, Preventive Health Directorate at PHCC, Dr. Khalid Hamid Elawad, said that is safe and highly recommended to get the flu vaccine at health centers, as all COVID-19 precautions are implemented. “People can call the PHCC helpline 107 and fix an appointment at their health centre for flu vaccination,” Dr. Elawad said.
He also stressed the importance of practicing preventive actions this includes wearing a mask, washing hands and keeping an appropriate distance. Head of Vaccination Unit, Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department at the MoPH, Dr. Soha Al Bayat, said that even healthy people can get sick from the flu and spread it to others. “Even if you not get severely sick with flu, you may pass it onto someone with a weak immune system,” she said.
