Influenza Vaccination Campaign

Goal

Event Slogan

"Take another step".

Campaign Start Date

The campaign will take place on Sunday, October 17, 2021 corresponding to Rabi` al-Awwal 11, 1443 and will continue until March 1, 2022 in all facilities of the Ministry of National Guard (health facilities, primary care centers, and military units).

Target Group

All employees of the Ministry of National Guard, focusing on the groups most vulnerable to complications from influenza, namely: the categories of people with chronic diseases such as pressure, diabetes, heart and kidney patients, pregnant women, the elderly, and children from six months to five years old. The campaign also targets 100% of health care workers to reduce the possibility of transmission of infection within health facilities.

“Seasonal influenza is one of the infectious diseases that have health and economic impacts on the health system. The annual incidence of this disease is estimated at 5-10% of adults, while it reaches 30% among children, and seasonal influenza globally causes 3-5 million complications. Seriously, about 600,000 deaths per year.

The influenza vaccine is the best way to prevent influenza and its complications, and helps preventing the spread of influenza from one person to another. The influenza vaccine is manufactured every year to protect against three strains of influenza viruses, including H1N1. Since influenza viruses are renewable, the vaccine changes every year under the guidance of the World Health Organization, which requires vaccination annually.

This year, the new quadrivalent vaccine was approved and made available, which contains four strains of influenza viruses to provide greater protection to prevent infection, and the vaccination can be given to anyone from the age of six months and above.

Events

1. A remote opening ceremony with the participation of directors of infection control departments in hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of the National Guard, nursing homes, and primary health care.
2. A medical lecture targeting workers who provide health care to groups at risk; to make sure they know the latest information about influenza vaccination and its effectiveness in reducing the risk of serious complications due to infection with the virus.
3. Awareness materials are distributed to employees of the Ministry of National Guard (civilians and military).
4. Coordinating to send a military medical team to all the military units of the Ministry of the National Guard.
5. A mobile vaccination cart in all hospitals and health centers affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, in addition to the health colleges of King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences and King Abdullah International Center for Medical Research.