More than 130,000 people vaccinated against the flu in Qatar

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) launched its annual flu vaccination campaign in mid-October.

Under the nation-wide 'Fight the Flu' campaign, over 130,000 people across the country have been vaccinated against the seasonal flu.

This is more than twice as many people who received the flu shot in the same period last year, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) revealed in a statement.

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) announced that since the launch of the seasonal influenza campaign in mid-October, more than 130,000 people have received their free seasonal flu vaccine. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) November 23, 2020

“The demand we have seen so far this year for the flu vaccine is unprecedented. Throughout November between 3,500 to 4,000 people a day have been requesting and receiving their free flu vaccination across the healthcare system – more than twice as many as November 2019," said Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at HMC.

This shows that people have understood the need to be extra vigilant in safeguarding themselves and their families, particularly in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the official pointed out.

“Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 are two different viruses and the flu vaccine will not prevent people getting COVID-19, but the same people who are at the highest risk of severe symptoms from COVID-19, such as the elderly and those with chronic conditions, are also at greatest risk from the flu. Therefore, it is more important than ever that people receive their flu vaccination this year,” Dr Al Khal highlighted.

The free of cost vaccine is available at all PHCC health centers, HMC (for patients attending clinic appointments) and at over 50 private clinics, hospitals and semi-governmental health care facilities.

This year's anti-flu drive seeks to vaccinate at least 500,000 individuals across the country. The campaign will run until February 2021.

Manager, Health Protection and Communicable Diseases at MOPH, Dr Hamad Al Romaihi called the high demand for the flu vaccine this year, "very encouraging," but urged all those who have yet to receive the shot "to do so as soon as possible, as the vaccine can take around two weeks for the antibodies to develop and provide protection."

The list of private healthcare facilities participating in the anti-flu drive is available here.

For more information regarding the campaign, click here.

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