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Tribune News Network
Doha
There was three-fold rise in the number of seasonal flu cases in October-November this year as compared to the same period last year, according to data.
Recent national data on this year’s seasonal influenza virus indicates a much higher activity of the virus this winter as compared to previous winters, resulting in many more people becoming sick due to the flu.
Dr Abdullatif al Khal, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Head of Infectious Diseases, said this is worrying trend .
“There have been more than 6,800 respiratory samples testing positive for the flu virus in October and November. During the same period in 2017, there were only 2,274 positive tests. So, it is clear that seasonal influenza is posing a greater threat to the health of people in Qatar this year. The is expected to get worse during December and January,” said Dr Khal.
At the start of October, the Ministry of Public Health, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), and HMC joined forces to launch a national campaign to provide free flu vaccines to the public in Qatar.
“To date, more than 75,000 people have been vaccinated against the flu,” Dr Khal said, adding that “This is very encouraging, but with the severity of this year’s flu virus being clear for us, we encourage even more people to get their free vaccine.”
Influenza is a serious disease and it can lead to hospitalisation, and if complications arise, sometimes even death, as Dr Muna al Maslamani, Medical Director of HMC’s Communicable Disease Center explained.
“Every year, millions of people around the world get flu and millions are hospitalised as a result, while hundreds of thousands end up dying from flu-related complications. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk for the flu and its complications.” said Dr Maslamani.
To ensure as many people as possible are vaccinated this year, members of the public can get the influenza vaccine for free at all PHCC health centres across the country, as well as at more than 35 private clinics.
“Primary Health Care Corporation is committed to protecting the health of Qatar’s population and providing the flu vaccine free to all residents with a valid health card is just one way in which we can do this,” said Dr Khalid Hamid Elawad, Health Protection manager, Preventive Health Department at PHCC.
“To receive flu vaccine from the health centre you are registered at: you can ask for the vaccine during an existing appointment, schedule a flu vaccination appointment by calling PHCC on 107 or drop in to your health centre without an appointment and receive vaccine,’’ he added.
Doha
There was three-fold rise in the number of seasonal flu cases in October-November this year as compared to the same period last year, according to data.
Recent national data on this year’s seasonal influenza virus indicates a much higher activity of the virus this winter as compared to previous winters, resulting in many more people becoming sick due to the flu.
Dr Abdullatif al Khal, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Head of Infectious Diseases, said this is worrying trend .
“There have been more than 6,800 respiratory samples testing positive for the flu virus in October and November. During the same period in 2017, there were only 2,274 positive tests. So, it is clear that seasonal influenza is posing a greater threat to the health of people in Qatar this year. The is expected to get worse during December and January,” said Dr Khal.
At the start of October, the Ministry of Public Health, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), and HMC joined forces to launch a national campaign to provide free flu vaccines to the public in Qatar.
“To date, more than 75,000 people have been vaccinated against the flu,” Dr Khal said, adding that “This is very encouraging, but with the severity of this year’s flu virus being clear for us, we encourage even more people to get their free vaccine.”
Influenza is a serious disease and it can lead to hospitalisation, and if complications arise, sometimes even death, as Dr Muna al Maslamani, Medical Director of HMC’s Communicable Disease Center explained.
“Every year, millions of people around the world get flu and millions are hospitalised as a result, while hundreds of thousands end up dying from flu-related complications. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk for the flu and its complications.” said Dr Maslamani.
To ensure as many people as possible are vaccinated this year, members of the public can get the influenza vaccine for free at all PHCC health centres across the country, as well as at more than 35 private clinics.
“Primary Health Care Corporation is committed to protecting the health of Qatar’s population and providing the flu vaccine free to all residents with a valid health card is just one way in which we can do this,” said Dr Khalid Hamid Elawad, Health Protection manager, Preventive Health Department at PHCC.
“To receive flu vaccine from the health centre you are registered at: you can ask for the vaccine during an existing appointment, schedule a flu vaccination appointment by calling PHCC on 107 or drop in to your health centre without an appointment and receive vaccine,’’ he added.
