The winter season is a time when most people get affected by the influenza virus. This year, Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has been actively campaigning to prevent an outbreak of the disease.
As a part of the nation-wide campaign which began three months ago, the MoPH has vaccinated 100,000 people against the seasonal disease. The vaccination drive is currently ongoing, reported Gulf Times.
Qatar residents can receive their free flu vaccination at all Primary Health Care Corporation’s health centers as well as for free at more than 35 different private clinics across Qatar.
Visit https://t.co/BfRqCPeR3t for a full list of locations. pic.twitter.com/Ev5p2DfbZl
The 100,000 people who were vaccinated belong to different age groups. They received their vaccination from various health facilities coming under the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and at health centres of the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).
More than 45 hospitals, health centres and private and semi-government clinics are taking an active part in the campaign.
Thank you @MOPHQatar for setting up a flu vaccination clinic on campus for our students, faculty & staff! Protect yourself, loved ones & the public from the influenza virus. Visit https://t.co/e4lOgjMpU6 for the nearest clinic to you #UCQnursing #flushot #Doha #Qatar #الدوحة #قطر pic.twitter.com/wnnznKzWpA
The influenza vaccine was made quickly and widely accessible to ensure vaccination for as many people as possible.
The campaign, themed ‘Fight Flu,’ aims to ensure that both the community and healthcare workers are vaccinated.
The categories recommended for vaccination include people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, heart and lung disease, kidney and cancer patients, the elderly above 65 years, children between the ages of six months and five years, pregnant women and health workers.
Qatar residents can receive their free flu vaccination at all Primary Health Care Corporation’s health centers as well as at more than 35 different private clinics across Qatar. https://t.co/BfRqCPeR3t pic.twitter.com/aquUywucZd
While the campaign for healthcare workers began on October 10, that for the public will start now and last until the end of the flu season, reported The Peninsula.
Vaccination teams visited workers of several institutions and bodies including Ashghal, Kahramaa and Qatar Post.
Employees of shipping and transport companies as well as universities and educational institutions were also vaccinated, reported Qatar Tribune.
Despite the ongoing campaign, Qatar has seen a significant increase in the prevalence of flu this year.
HMC is Encouraging the Public to get the Flu Vaccination and to Stay Home from Work and School when Illhttps://t.co/GcyMmdxyJw pic.twitter.com/Y1f6ZVCZPv
National data on this year’s seasonal influenza patterns shows that three times as many people tested positive for the flu in October and November, compared to the same period in 2017.
The ministry stressed on the need to receive seasonal influenza vaccine, especially with the onset of the winter season and the recent drop in temperature.
You can learn more about the campaign at www.stoptheflu.qa.
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