(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has urged women to protect themselves and their children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The appeal comes on the occasion of World Immunisation Week, being held from April 24-30.
According to the US-based Centres for Communicable Diseases (CDC), vaccine-preventable diseases include cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis A & B, human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza, measles, meningococcal, tuberculosis, typhoid and yellow fever. Most of these diseases can be prevented if women get vaccinated and also stick to their children's immunisation schedule right after their births.
The recommended immunisation 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.
"In Qatar, the H1N1 vaccine is recommended for pregnant women with lower immune systems during the months of November to March. H1N1 vaccine protects against influenza (flu) disease caused by the H1N1 virus. It works by stimulating the body to produce antibodies against the influenza A (H1N1) flu virus, which helps the body to fight the infection," said Dr Halima al-Tamimi, senior consultant in the Obstetrics/Gynaecology department at the Women's Hospital.
She said that pregnant women who get sick with H1N1 can have serious health problems. "Some pregnant women who are sick with H1N1 have had early labour and severe pneumonia. Some have died. If you are pregnant and have symptoms of the flu, take it very seriously. Call your doctor right away for advice," the doctor said.
"Usually, we advise women to get vaccinated against rubella six weeks after they deliver their babies. We also suggest avoiding getting pregnant three months after so there are no complications and foetal abnormalities," she added.
This year's immunisation week signals a renewed global, regional, and national effort to accelerate action to increase awareness and demand for immunisation by communities, and improve vaccination delivery services. This year's campaign focuses on closing the immunisation gap and reaching equity in immunisation levels as outlined in the Global Vaccine Action Plan.
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