(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: Qatar University's Assistant Professor at the College Pharmacy, Dr. Zachariah Nazar, highlighted the importance of the flu vaccine because the flu season coincides with another rise in global coronavirus cases.
Medical experts encourage people to receive the flu vaccine early to help ensure hospital beds are kept free for COVID-19 patients. Further, recent research has revealed that people at higher risk from COVID-19 are also at greater risk of complications from the flu.
Dr. Nazar said, 'There is a lot of inaccurate information regarding the flu vaccine, and therefore it is important for patients to share their concerns with trained health professionals, who are best placed to provide the correct advice. When individuals are vaccinated against the flu, their families and communities are also better protected.
'When large numbers of people within a community are vaccinated, we see that the likelihood of the virus spreading and infecting the most vulnerable patients is less. During this pandemic, it is difficult to predict how individuals will react if they get sick, and therefore being vaccinated is the best prevention strategy, he added.
The vaccine is available for free at the Primary Health Care Corporation clinics, HMC outpatient clinics (for patients attending clinic appointments), and designated private and semi-private clinics and hospitals across Qatar. Over 500,000 people will be vaccinated this season in the campaign that will run until March 2021.
People can call 107 to book an appointment to receive the flu vaccine. Additionally, the Ministry of Public Health has launched a Seasonal Influenza Campaign Website to find more information, including where you can receive the vaccine.
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