MoPH, HMC and PHCC launch flu vaccination campaign
As Qatar undergoes a change in season with the weather turning cooler, getting sick with seasonal influenza is a common concern, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a bid to protect the health of the population, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) jointly with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) today launched a national anti-flu drive that seeks to vaccinate around 500,000 people in the country.
Under the campaign, the flu vaccine will be made available to citizens and residents at more than 70 health facilities including public and private health centers.
MOPH, HMC and PHCC launch Seasonal Influenza Campaign as Health Experts Warn It’s More
— مؤسسة حمد الطبية (@HMC_Qatar) October 19, 2020
Important than Ever to Get the Flu Shot this Year pic.twitter.com/dsS2Qh3Hfz
The vaccine will be administered free of charge starting tomorrow, October 20. However, the campaign will run until February 2021.
The vaccine is safe for everyone, including babies as young as six months old, it was highlighted at the launch.
Addressing the audience at the campaign launch, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr Abdullatif Al Khal emphasized the importance of the flu vaccine this year.
"Taking the flu vaccine is more important this year amid the coronavirus pandemic. Both the COVID-19 and flu have the same symptoms and getting co-infected with flu and coronavirus can lead to severe complications,” Dr Al Khal is quoted to have said by The Peninsula.
On a related note, here’s a video Qatar Living has put together to help you understand the difference between flu, common cold, and the COVID-19 virus.
Patients will often manifest similar signs of sickness for all three respiratory diseases.
Therefore, it is important to note that a proper diagnosis is difficult to come by in the absence of a medical test.
Should you experience these symptoms, you are highly advised to self-isolate and look for the nearest COVID-19 testing facility.
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