Iraq denies new COVID-19 variants, launches influenza vaccination drive

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Health and Education Ministries said Sunday they are taking preventive measures against seasonal influenza while denying reports of any new COVID-19 variants in the country.

Health Ministry spokesperson Saif Al-Badr told the state-run Al-Sabah newspaper that the ministry has launched its annual influenza vaccination campaign under the slogan “Protect your people… start with yourself… your vaccine is your life.”

Al-Badr said influenza vaccines are available in limited quantities at primary health centers and are not part of the routine immunization schedule. He said vaccination is recommended for people with weakened immune systems, chronic respiratory diseases, or those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

He also rejected claims about the emergence of a new COVID-19 strain, saying, “We categorically deny recording any epidemic cases or the emergence of new coronavirus variants in the country.” He added, “All respiratory and seasonal influenza cases fall within the expected seasonal norms,” and confirmed that “the Central Public Health Laboratory has not recorded any indicators of new viral strains.”

Al-Badr urged citizens “not to be misled by false information circulating on some websites and social media platforms about the spread of a new COVID-19 variant.”

Education Ministry spokesperson Karim Al-Sayyid said school health coordinators in Baghdad and other governorates are monitoring students’ health and coordinating with local health institutions to track any suspected cases.

“The health coordinator in each school is responsible for monitoring illness cases among students in cooperation with school administrations and specialized health institutions,” Al-Sayyid said. “Any suspected case is immediately tracked and necessary precautions are taken in coordination with health authorities.”