Why you need to get vaccinated against flu amid pandemic
Doctors explain why protection against influenza is important
How does a tiny jab with miniscule liquid protect an individual from a virus that causes 200,000 deaths every year globally? We are talking about influenza, not Covid-19, which is back this season.
Dr Moeena Zain, consultant, Infectious Diseases, American Hospital, Dubai, said: “The flu vaccine must be taken especially by frontline health-care workers, children below five, pregnant women, people who are immune-compromised and senior citizens.”
Dr Sundar Elayaperumal, specialist microbiologist at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, added: “More than 50 per cent people gain immunity when vaccinated for influenza.”
Both doctors categorically ruled out any protection against Covid-19 through a flu vaccine. Dr Elayaperumal said: “Although there have been some hypoth- esis, there is not enough research or evidence to prove this.
No protection against Covid
“The antibodies produced in response to the influenza vaccine only affect the haemoagglutinin and neuraminidase glycoproteins. Covid-19 caused by SARS-COV2 cannot be impacted by this vaccination. The only thing is that since both impact the respiratory system and one can get flu and Covid-19 together, it is advisable to take the flu vaccine.”
Dr Zain said: “Since this vaccine contains the Influenza virus, immunity is specific to that virus only. It will not offer protection against the Covid-19 infection.”
Ignorance
Some people believe that vaccination per se is evil and can expose one to other immune diseases. However, both Dr Elayaperumal and Dr Zain refuted such belief, attributing it to fake propaganda and a misinformation campaign.
Dr Zain said: “Vaccination is considered one of the few interventions that has actually changed the course of transmissible diseases in history. Despite a huge amount of evidences to suggest that flu vaccines are safe, majority of the objections stem from ignorance about the science behind it.”