RIYADH: The Ministry of Health has advised parents to give their children’s vaccinations on time to avoid subsequent complications, an MoH official said.
Dr. Muslim Younes Abu Hassan, director and specialist in epidemiology, said: “It is the duty of the parents to see that their children take the vaccination as suggested by their doctors.”
Abu Hassan was speaking on Sunday to callers through the “Hello Ramadan” program organized by the Ministry of Health during the holy month.
The program dubbed “Hello Ramadan — Your Health in Ramadan,” began during the first week of the holy month.
The program helps Muslims in the Kingdom clear their doubts regarding medical problems they face especially during this month.
The service is available on toll free number 8002494444 and the MoH’s Twitter account: @saudimoh, for helping people who fast, particularly those who are sick, to perform the obligation of fasting without any health problems.
Abu Hassan, who leads the community medicine department at the MoH, said immunizations protect the children from targeted diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) makes it a point to stress the importance of such vaccines from time to time with a view of creating an awareness among parents.
“The recommended immunization schedule is designed to protect infants and children early in life, when they are most vulnerable and before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.” On its part, he said, the MoH has been offering its best services to people of all ages to take their vaccines on time.
During the seasonal flu vaccination campaign for the year 1436-1437H, the total number of people vaccinated was 1,876,182 out of the targeted group of 2,246,240. The number of children, aged six months to five years, vaccinated, amounted to 295,421 of the targeted number of 727,576. The number of pregnant women who were vaccinated numbered 86,645 out of the targeted 111,035; and the number of the elderly vaccinated amounted to 144,927 out of the targeted number of 170,089.
The number of patients with chronic diseases vaccinated amounted to 634,640 out of the targeted 647,774 and the number of the health workers amounted to 183,089 out of the targeted number of 219,708.
The coverage rate of those vaccinated from the targeted groups and other groups, during the national flu vaccination campaign for the years 1436-1437H, was 41 percent of children, 78 percent of pregnant women, 83 percent of health workers, 85 percent of the elderly and 98 percent of people with chronic diseases.
Mohammed Rasooldeen - Arab News
