(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fazeena Saleem I The Peninsula
DOHA: With winter season approaching, a comprehensive national influenza vaccination campaign has been launched jointly by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The influenza vaccine has been made easily accessible to everyone to ensure vaccination of as many people as possible. The vaccine is available for free across all PHCC's health centres and at 47 private and semi-governmental health care facilities including Qatar Petroleum and Sidra Medicine, said officials addressing a press conference, yesterday.
The public can call 107 and book an appointment for vaccination at the health centres. Most private health care providers also encourage people to pre-register by calling or through dedicated portals.
The influenza vaccine campaign, themed ‘Fight Flu', aims to ensure that both the community and healthcare workers are vaccinated. The campaign started for healthcare workers from October 10 and for the public from yesterday and will last until end of the flu season.
A dedicated website www.stoptheflu.qa has been created to raise awareness among the public about the vaccine. It provides information including myths and facts as well as information about the spots where people can get the vaccine.
Immunisation and improved treatment have reduced mortality and morbidity rates in Qatar and across the world in recent years. However, communicable diseases remain a significant challenge for public health services.
'Influenza like illnesses are among the most commonly reported communicable diseases in Qatar therefore it is critical that we focus national attention on the importance of influenza vaccination to protect as many people as possible every season, said Dr Soha Albayat, Head of the Vaccination Section at MOPH.
She also emphasised that the influenza vaccination during pregnancy is safe and it would keep the babies safe from flu during their first few months of their life.
Influenza is usually characterised by sudden onset of constitutional and respiratory symptoms such as fever, myalgia, cough, sore throat, rhinitis and headache. Influenza typically resolves in three to seven days in the majority of individuals.
'Influenza is more common during the winter season. It was spreading fast around the world including Qatar during the last winter season. We recorded some of the highest rates of influenza in Qatar last year. The annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best and safest way to reduce the chances catching the flu and potentially spreading it. We are providing the best, most advanced and safe vaccines, said Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Head of Infectious Diseases at HMC.
'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, he added.
Dr Khalid Hamid Elawad, Subject Matter Expert - Public Health, Clinical Affairs, PHCC, said, 'It is also essential to practice good hygiene by properly and frequently washing hands and protecting coughs and sneezes (coughing or sneezing onto a tissue or an elbow) to help prevent the spread of seasonal influenza. People who have flu-like symptoms should stay at home to avoid infecting others.
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