The seasonal influenza vaccine available in Qatar is safe, effective and imported from prestigious companies, similar to previous years, said a senior healthcare official yesterday. Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation(HMC), Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, in a statement said that the seasonal influenza vaccine is currently available in Qatar and is the same vaccine imported every year from prestigious companies such as Abbott and Sanofi. “We have been providing the influenza vaccine for many years and we have had a positive experience with these companies. Moreover, this vaccine is used by many countries around the world, including the USA and EU countries,” he said according to a statement issued on HMC’s social media accounts.
Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and HMC have jointly launched the national influenza vaccination campaign for the sixth consecutive year. The campaign under the theme ‘Fight the Flu’ aims to vaccinate around 500,000 people. “Since the beginning of October, we have vaccinated more than 20,000 people; most of them are healthcare workers at Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care Corporation,” said Dr. Al Khal.
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. “We have also begun offering the vaccine to the public, and especially to those aged 50 years or above, children from 6 months to 5 years of age, people with chronic diseases, and pregnant women at all stages of pregnancy,” said Dr. Al Khal. “This vaccination is safe. Reported side effects can include slight pain at the injection site and a low fever, but these side effects are only reported in a small percentage of people who get the vaccine. It is important to highlight that the flu virus that will be spreading this winter is different from the flu virus that circulated last winter. It is also important to note that the flu virus can cause severe illness for some people, especially those at increased risk for developing influenza related complications,” he added.
The vaccine is available for free across all PHCC’s health centres, at HMC for patients attending clinic appointments and at more than 40 private clinics and hospitals as well as and semi-governmental health care facilities, until March 2021. Speaking at a previous press conference, Dr. Al Khal said: “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.”
