Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 17: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today said flu vaccine in times of Covid crisis is more important than ever.
In a statement issued here, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that as the flu season is just around the corner, the addition of another respiratory illness on top of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic could overburden the health care system and compound efforts to stamp out the novel coronavirus.
“Since we are expecting another surge of Covid in this fall and winter, it is important to conserve hospital resources for those with Covid,” he said
Dr Nisar said that flu vaccines can take a big burden off our medical infrastructure. And if we can keep people out of the hospital with flu, “we can better deal with the likely upswing in Covid infections.”
He said that one can catch the flu and Covid at the same time and that increases the risk of ending up in ICU or on a ventilator. “Flu can weaken your immune system, which could make you susceptible to getting Covid and make it harder for you to fight off,” he said.
The DAK President said getting a flu shot will decrease a person’s risk of getting Co-infection of both the flu and Covid-19.
“It will also limit the confusion over the two viral infections, which have similar symptoms, and free up hospital beds to treat patients with Covid-19,” he said.
He said last year flu season was mild due to mitigation measures in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Flu vaccine is the single best way to protect you and people around you from getting flu. It reduces the chances of serious illness, hospitalization and death,” Dr Nisar said.
“While the vaccine is recommended for all, it is especially needed in young children, elderly, pregnant women and people with medical conditions,” he added.
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