KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health declared on Thursday that vaccines against winter illnesses are available at 43 medical centers and 14 hospitals across the country. The ministry announced last Sunday the seasonal vaccination campaign this year against influenza and lung infections. Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi received his vaccine this week and called on people in Kuwait to do the same to get the necessary protection against infectious diseases that spread mostly in the winter season.
The vaccines offered include those against the flu and bacterial pneumonia, the minister had said in a statement to KUNA. Dr Al-Awadhi urged people to get their vaccines to protect those most vulnerable in society. Groups most at risk include the elderly over the age of 65, children as young as five years old, and people who suffer from chronic diseases such as heart and lung diseases and diabetes.
This is in addition to the individuals with immunodeficiency or people taking immunosuppressive medications. Pregnant women and health sector workers who are in direct contact with patients are also at risk. Flu causes the death of about half a million people annually worldwide. Pneumococcal bacteria causes several diseases, including pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, bacterial blood poisoning, and even otitis media.
About 40 people die due to Pneumococcal bacteria annually in Kuwait alone, Abdullah Al-Sanad, the Ministry of Health’s official spokesman told media this week. Seasonal winter microbes are active in the country from mid-September to May and are at their peak from October to March.
Where to get your vaccine
In Al-Assima health region, the vaccinations are provided at 14 centers including the preventive medical ward at Al-Amiri Hospital. Other centers that have the service in Al-Assima are Hamad Al-Sagr in Adailiya, , Abdullah Abdul-Mughni in Al-Faiha, Al-Ahqaqi in Al-Daiya, Jaber Al-Ahmad Block 3, Al-Rawda, Sheikhan Al-Farsi and Shareefah Al-Awadhi in Surra, Munira Al-Ayyar in Kaifan, Doha Center, North Sulaibikhat and Jaber Al-Ahmad.
In Hawally, five centers offer the vaccines, including Mubarak Hospital, in addition to the Salwa specialized health center, the MoH west Salmiya, Rumaithiya, Nasser Saud Al-Sabah and the MoH west Hawally clinics. There are nine centers vaccinating people in Al-Farwaniya, including Manahi Al-Osaimi Health Center, North Ardiya Health Center and the MoH South Jleeb Clinic.
Seven centers are offering vaccines in Al-Ahmadi, including the Fahaheel Specialist Center and the Egaila clinic. Five clinics offer it in Jahra, including the Sulaibiya, Naeem and Al-Oyoon clinics and three in Mubarak Al-Kabeer, including Al-Adan Hospital. Immunization is also provided at several hospitals including Al-Sabah and Ibn Sina. — KUNA