Doctors urge people to get seasonal flu shot
Alshaheen News
Doctors have called on the public to get seasonal flu vaccine as early as possible and said the shot has nothing to do with treating or preventing infection with the coronavirus.
Despite dismissing any connection between the COVID-19 disease and inoculation against seasonal flu, doctors told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the seasonal flu shot can protect the respiratory system against influenza pathogens and reduce community incidence by 60 percent.
Head of vaccination in the Health Ministry, Kamil Abu Sil, said the flu shots will be administered for free to medical staff and high-risk groups, including cancer and kidney patients, immunodeficiency patients, and those suffering from respiratory diseases and thalassemia.
Additionally, Abu Sil has also called for giving the flu vaccine to the elderly, heart disease patients, and pregnant women, assuring that the shot is safe and has no side effects on pregnancy.
Bassam Hijjawil, an epidemiologist and a member of the National Epidemiological Committee, said the intake of the seasonal flu shot reduces the burden when investigating infection with the coronavirus, explaining that both seasonal flu and the COVID-19 diseases have almost similar symptoms.
He warned that a double infection with the coronavirus and seasonal flu will make treatment a difficult journey.
Adel Belbeisi, an epidemiologist with the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, echoed similar calls emphasizing the importance of vaccination against seasonal flu and adherence to health safety protocols.
President of the Jordanian Society for Allergy and Immunology Hani Ababneh said that the annual influenza shot, which is usually administered in the fall season, has many and proven benefits, especially if it provides protection against all known strains of flu viruses.
Ababneh, a senior consultant allergist/ immunologist, explained that the pathogens causing seasonal flu include new strains every year, which requires immunization with the vaccine produced this year and avoid any older shots.
He stressed that diabetic patients and other patients on immunosuppressants and those above 65-year-old should also take the flu shot.
