The Primary Health Care Corporation ( PHCC) has urged patients with chronic conditions to get vaccinated against the flu this year as they are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.
Dr Khalid al-Awad, manager, Health Protection at the Preventive Health Directorate at PHCC, said: “Flu vaccines are updated each year to keep up with changing viruses. Also, immunity wanes over time and annual vaccinations are recommended as the best possible protection against flu. If you are at high risk of developing serious flu complications, vaccination is especially important. When you get vaccinated, you reduce your risk of getting sick with flu and possibly being hospitalised from severe complications.”
Individuals who need to be vaccinated against influenza, include those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, kidney and liver disease, and obesity. In addition, pregnant women, older adults, and young children below the age of five years are also encouraged to take the flu shot as they could also be at high risk of severe influenza.
“Last year, Qatar witnessed a large number of people diagnosed with influenza, unfortunately many patients with chronic diseases were hospitalised due to this. Many more individuals presented flu like illnesses across the system. To reduce the spread of the influenza and the risk of serious complication and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities, it is more important than ever to ensure that you are vaccinated this year if you do have underlying chronic health conditions,” explained Dr al-Awad.
“Covid-19 is truly a transforming pandemic and we are not through with it yet. Patients may face a diagnostic challenge because of the shared signs and symptoms between both illnesses, as we enter the winter months and into the flu season, the goal is to avoid an overlap of two respiratory-borne diseases of influenza and Covid-19,” he pointed out.
To further ensure the safety of patients this year, priority groups recognised as higher risk of severe health complications can access the flu vaccination via three different methods. If a patient is registered under home healthcare services, they can receive their vaccination at home. Patients registered under a health centre can call 107 in advance or walk in to receive the vaccine. And patients can use PHCC’s mobile van unit which has been set up in different locations around Doha.
