For the sixth year running, Qatar has launched its annual influenza vaccination campaign yesterday. Health authorities appealed to people to get vaccinated this year particularly as a flu virus attack this season can prove more fatal as the threat of COVID-19 pandemic still prevails. A combined attack of seasonal flu and COVID-19 can be fatal and suffering from both together can make one’s health conditions difficult to be managed.
Announcing the launch of vaccination campaign, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, said: “Getting a flu shot this year is more important than ever because of COVID-19. The flu vaccine many not protect you against COVID-19, but it will reduce your risk of developing flu and flu-related complications and reduce the possibility of getting infected with both the flu and COVID-19 viruses at the same time.”
As we are still struggling to get over the pandemic season, it has become a national responsibility for everyone to get the flu vaccine, which is being provided free through several government and private health care providers across the country ensuring wider and convenient availability for everyone.
People should ensure that they are getting the vaccine in time, that is at least two weeks before the arrival of flu season which usually begins with the onset of winter. Flu vaccine triggers the development of antibodies in our body about two weeks after vaccination. Hence, getting a flu shot earlier will make one better prepared to face the flu season.
Some people are worried about the vaccination, because of myths, false beliefs and doubts about the effectiveness of the vaccine. An anti-flu shot is essential before every season, because a person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time and an annual vaccine is essential for optimum protection. As the flu viruses are constantly changing, the vaccines are updated from one season to the next to ensure protection against particular viruses of the season.
The flu vaccination are crucial for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, children and other vulnerable groups. It will also avoid anxiety in people as several of the COVID-19 and flu symptoms are the same, such as sore throat, fever, cough etc.
In Qatar, the virus vaccine is dispensed free of cost and made available across the country and now it is our duty to get it as early as possible and play our role in protecting ourselves and those around us.
