(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has urged the public to take seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination as it has been shown to have many benefits including reducing risk of flu illnesses and hospitalisation.
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 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.
'This vaccine is very important to take, it protects you from several viruses, that can risk your life or lead to hospital admission or other complications, said Dr. Al Bayat in a video message posted on social media pages of MoPH and Hamad Medical Corporation(HMC).
It is part of an awareness campaign about flu vaccination which aims to spread the message, ‘this year is important than ever to get your free flu vaccination'.
The free seasonal flu vaccine is available at Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centres, HMC outpatient clinics and designated private and semi-private clinics and hospitals across Qatar.
Healthcare experts have warned that amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to protect from the seasonal flu.
The annual seasonal flu vaccination campaign is a joint initiative of the MoPH, the PHCC and HMC. 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.
Being conducted for the sixth consecutive year, the campaign under the theme ‘Fight the Flu' aims to vaccinate around 500,000 people.
'In seasonal flu vaccination, our focus most of the time is on the elderly, children below 5 years of age, pregnant women, healthcare workers, people with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, lung diseases and immunity compromising illnesses.
Because they are at a high risk of developing flu-related complications, said Dr. Al Bayat. 'But we highly urge all citizens and residents of Qatar to take the flu vaccine if not to protect yourself, at least to protect your loved ones, she said. More information including where to get the flu vaccine in Qatar and frequently asked questions about the flu and COVID-19 can be found on the campaign website www.fighttheflu.qa
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