Dr. Amr El-Haddad, a consultant for allergies and immunology at Egypt's General Authority for Vaccines and Biological Products, has stated that the flu vaccine available in Egypt has been updated to match global strains. The vaccine includes the strains and mutations that appeared during the previous period, providing protection against globally prevalent strains. This update is in line with the World Health Organization's (WHO) global updates.
The WHO conducts global updates to ensure that flu vaccines are effective against prevalent strains. Dr. El-Haddad explained that the update is a global effort that involves all vaccine-producing companies worldwide. He added that the strains included in the vaccines are updated, and the world witnessed a significant mutation of the flu virus last year, which caused severe symptoms and suffering for citizens.
The WHO takes samples from various countries worldwide to identify prevalent viruses, mutations, and types of influenza. These samples are used to update the flu vaccine to include mutations that occurred during the previous period. Dr. El-Haddad emphasized that this global update means that the flu vaccine is constantly being improved to provide protection against new strains.
Dr. El-Haddad confirmed that the updated flu vaccine is available in Egypt and provides protection against globally prevalent strains. He stressed that the vaccine is important, and getting vaccinated early provides protection before the onset of winter. The flu virus can cause severe symptoms and complications, especially for certain groups such as children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases.
Dr. El-Haddad warned that autumn is a more critical period for respiratory infections than winter. He attributed this to the fluctuating temperatures, the reopening of schools, and the gatherings that create an environment conducive to the spread of viral infections. He urged citizens to get vaccinated against the flu virus, especially those who are more susceptible to complications.
Certain groups, such as children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases, are more prone to complications from the flu virus. Dr. El-Haddad emphasized the importance of these groups getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of complications. He also stressed the need for people with symptoms such as fever, runny nose, or severe cough to wear masks to prevent the spread of infection to others.
Dr. El-Haddad concluded by emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu virus to avoid severe symptoms and complications. He encouraged citizens, especially those with chronic diseases, to get vaccinated early to ensure protection before the onset of winter. By getting vaccinated, individuals can reduce their risk of contracting the flu virus and spreading it to others.
Key points
- Egypt's flu vaccine has been updated to match global strains.
- Autumn is a more critical period for respiratory infections than winter.
- Certain groups are more prone to complications from the flu virus.
