All the special categories of people identified by the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) will be administered the seasonal flu vaccine until December 8. Others will receive the vaccine subsequently.
Several people had visited the health centres across the country for the flu vaccine and many were provided the vaccine.
But, of late, many have been asked to wait for sometime as the target groups are to be provided the vaccination on a priority basis.
Speaking to Gulf Times, an official from the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) said “the SCH has directed the organisation to administer the vaccine for the priority groups until December 8. The general public will be provided the vaccine after this deadline.”
The SCH has already identified a number of groups who need to be vaccinated on a priority level.
According to the SCH officials, these are the people most vulnerable to the seasonal flu.
The target groups include children aged from six months to five years, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases that weaken the immunity such as diabetes, heart, kidney, cancer, pulmonary disease and chronic diseases.
Dr. Hamad Eid al-Rumaihi, director of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department, had stated last week that the target groups were the priority.
“We have already launched the advocacy and awareness campaign. All the target groups will visit the primary health centre for their routine vaccination. The seasonal flu vaccination will be offered along with the routine vaccination.”
SCH completed the vaccination for all the medical staff by the middle of this month. SCH has also affirmed that there was no increase in the number of seasonal influenza cases this year but only that it started earlier than other years.
SCH officials have also clarified that the vaccine is available at all the primary health care centres and there is no shortage of the medicine.
“We have got enough vaccine and there is no need to hurry. All the people can be vaccinated in due course,” Sheikh Mohamed al-Thani, director of Public Health, SCH stated last week.
A few cases of influenza A (H1N1) were reported in Qatar within the past fortnight. But the SCH has reiterated that the situation is fully under control.
Source: http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/463944/target-groups-to-receive-flu-vaccine-until-december-8
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
You have successfully registered your account!
Please confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL sent to you.The e-mail usually arrives in 5-10 minutes.
How ajeeb was that!? Thanks for contributing to our community! Your post will appear after we take a quick look!
