Annual seasonal influenza vaccination campaign begins with free flu vaccines: MoPH

Ministry of Public Health

The Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation have announced that the annual seasonal influenza vaccination campaign will begin Wednesday, September 1, with free flu vaccines available at all primary health centers, HMC outpatient clinics and at more than 45 private and semi-private clinics and hospitals across Qatar. The health sector has launched the campaign early this year as experts warn that the flu season may start earlier than usual this year. Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at HMC Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal said: "We usually launch the seasonal influenza campaign at the end of September each year, but because we are already seeing a significant number of people presenting at medical facilities with the flu, we have decided to take a proactive approach and commence the campaign several weeks earlier." "With COVID-19 still a threat to our health, its very important that people take every possible step to protect themselves, their families and friends from the flu. Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, and lead to similar symptoms, but they are caused by different viruses. It is important for people to understand that the flu vaccine does not protect you from COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine does not protect you from flu. For this reason, we strongly urge people to receive both vaccines. People can receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time, or within a short period of time before or after each other. Clinical studies have shown that this is safe, and does not affect the efficacy of either vaccine," added Dr. Al Khal.