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(MENAFN – Gulf Times) 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 complications from the flu.
Dr Khalid al-Awad, Health Protection manager in the Preventive Health Directorate at PHCC, said: ‘Flu vaccines are updated every year to keep up with changing viruses. Also, immunity wanes over time and yearly vaccinations are recommended as the best possible protection against the flu. If you are at high risk of developing serious complications from influenza, vaccination is especially important. When you get vaccinated, you reduce your risk of getting the flu and possibly being hospitalized for serious complications.
People who should 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 immunodeficiency syndrome, kidney and liver disease, and obesity. . In addition, pregnant women, older adults, and young children under the age of five are also encouraged to get a flu vaccine, as they may also be at high risk for severe flu.
Last year, Qatar witnessed a large number of people diagnosed with influenza, unfortunately many patients with chronic diseases were hospitalized due to this. Many more people had flu-like illnesses throughout the system. To reduce the spread of influenza and the risk of serious complications and protect the most vulnerable in our communities, it is more important than ever to make sure you are vaccinated this year if you have underlying chronic diseases, explained Dr. al-Awad. .
‘Covid-19 is truly a transformative pandemic and we are not done with it yet. Patients may face a diagnostic challenge due to signs and symptoms shared between the two diseases, as we enter the winter months and flu season, the goal is to avoid an overlap of two respiratory-borne influenza diseases and Covid-19, he said. he pointed.
To further ensure patient safety this year, priority groups recognized as being at highest risk for serious health complications can access influenza vaccination through three different methods. If a patient is registered for home health care services, they can receive the vaccine at home. Registered patients at a health center can call 107 in advance or go to receive the vaccine. And patients can use PHCC’s mobile van unit that has been installed in different locations in Doha.
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