Pharmacies all set to provide COVID-19, influenza vaccines
Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)-PUBLIC Health Sector assistant undersecretary Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand said vaccines for the coronavirus and seasonal influenza (SIV) will be available in all licenced pharmacies nationwide.
In a joint interview, Al Rand said: “Maybe (by) end of the month, depending on the (fulfillment of all the requirements) by the (applicant) pharmacies, these vaccines will be available. In Abu Dhabi, they already have started. It will be soon in the Northern Emirates.”
Al Rand led the panelists who met the media on Monday for the “National Seasonal Flu Awareness Campaign 2022” launch wherein it was also learnt through Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre-immunisation Department head Dr Badreya Al Shehhi, that the COVID-19 and SIV vaccines can already be co-administered: “About the gap between the COVID-19 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine, we can now (give you both) in one seting. Previously, it was two weeks (as directed by the World Health Organisation). Now, not anymore.”
“The decision of the WHO was based on studies andevaluations.thecovid-19and(siv)vaccinesare
‘We want to make it easy for the people to get the vaccines. Some are busy, they cannot go to the primary healthcare clinics or to the hospitals. But, if there is a licenced pharmacy near their residence, they will just have it there’
still two separate vaccines which (the patient) can get in one session,” replied Mohap-communicable Diseases and Immunisation Department head Dr Laila Al Jasmi to a question from Gulf Today on whether drug companies had been successful in developing a two-in-one COVID-19 and SIV vaccine.
Al Rand from the sidelines repeated: “As per the studies and investigations, the WHO has recommended (the co-administration) since there are no complications and contra-indications (that which can harm the recipient).”
The WHO on Oct.21, 2021 “Co-administration of Seasonal Inactivated Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccines” noted that hospital and clinic visits as well as the burden on the delivery of healthcare services would be reduced. More people would be encouraged to get immunised because they are going to be protected from two ailments which may lead to death.”
A group of researcher-scientists from Italy led by Alexander Domnich who co-authored the “COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination: Cross-protection, Co-administration, Combination Vaccines and Hesitancy,” wrote: “The available data suggest that the co-administration of SIV and COVID-19 vaccines is a feasible option and arouses no safety concerns.”
“Vaccination is important to protect yourself, your family and the community. If you do not take the vaccine and you get (SIV), you might infect your family, your community, your workplace. So let us protect (one another) and our country,” Al Rand said from the sidelines. At the open forum, he stressed that those with cold must wear masks and those suffering from “severe cold must stay home (so as not to) spread the infection.”
On the COVID-19 and SIV vaccines in all licenced pharmacies across the UAE, Al Rand said: “We want to make it easy for the people to get the vaccines. Some are busy, they cannot go to the primary healthcare clinics or to the hospitals. But, if there is a (licenced) pharmacy near their residence, they will just have it there.”
He added: “Vaccinations will be available at pharmacies provided they fulfil the requirements and (there is a qualified person) who will give the vaccine. The requirement is a must to protect everyone geting the vaccine from the pharmacy. There must be infection-control within the pharmacy.”
The SIV campaign is to remind once again UAE residents and visitors to get themselves immunised against the “contagious acute respiratory infection caused by (A-B-C) influenza viruses which circulate worldwide in certain seasons (like from the onset of the desert winter until about February and which) infects the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs).”
Another campaign goal is to increase the health workers’ awareness and training on the best international practices to prevent complications as well as increase the provision of the vaccines and coverage rates.
Emirates Health Services (Ehs)-public Health Services Department director Dr Shamsa Lootah, Dubai Health Authority (Dha)-public Health Department-health Promotion and Education director Dr Hind Al Awadhi and Al Jasmi said these are being pursued by way of various workshops and training programmes.