Iraq launches nationwide flu vaccination campaign

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Health on Monday announced the launch of a nationwide campaign to vaccinate citizens against seasonal influenza at all primary healthcare centers and several hospitals in Baghdad and other governorates.

The ministry said in a statement, “In implementation of the directives of Minister of Health Saleh Mahdi Al-Hasnawi, the campaign to vaccinate citizens with the seasonal influenza vaccine has begun in all primary healthcare centers and a number of hospitals in Baghdad and the governorates, to protect citizens from respiratory diseases and reduce infection rates and complications resulting from the influenza virus.”

It said that “health departments in all governorates have already begun implementing the preventive vaccination program through primary healthcare centers and a number of government hospitals,” noting that “the vaccine is available free of charge and accessible to all citizens, particularly those most at risk of infection.”

The ministry stressed “the importance of taking the vaccine due to its role in reducing the likelihood of infection, the severity of symptoms, and serious complications,” confirming that “the vaccine is safe and approved by the World Health Organization.”

It also urged citizens “to visit the nearest health center to receive the vaccine while adhering to general preventive measures.”