KUCHING: If you’re suffering from coughs, fever, and body aches you might be wondering whether it’s the dreaded Covid-19 or just the common flu.
However, neither you nor your doctor would be able to tell the difference until you get tested for both.
Thus, technical committee chairman of the Immunise4Life programme, Professor Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail, advised that now is a good time to get the flu shot (influenza vaccine).
“It is recommended that these individuals be vaccinated every year against the flu. It is one of the best tools available to help prevent severe illnesses and complications arising from the virus.
“It also will spare them the personal distress of getting hospitalised for the flu and avert the need to take up vital medical resources that would otherwise go to Covid-19 and other patients during the pandemic,” he said in a statement issued by Immunise4Life (IFL) on Sunday (Dec 13).
Although Covid-19 is a serious threat, the consultant paediatrician and paediatric cardiologist also pointed out that one should not lose sight of influenza or the flu.
He added this is because the flu can lead to life-threatening complications such as pneumonia and multi-organ failure, and even death.
In fact, the flu, he explained, is more vulnerable because it can easily infect people.
“Anyone can catch the flu. However, certain people are more likely to develop severe flu and complications.
“This includes those with long-term medical conditions (such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes), immune-compromised persons (those with a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases), pregnant women, children below the age of five, and adults over 60,” he said.
He emphasised that vaccinations are imperative as it is able to provide protection for everyone.
“Young and healthy people will also benefit from the annual flu shot. It will help reduce the risk of getting infected and enable them to keep working, especially in these tough economic times.
“Even if you don’t think you will get really sick from the flu, you should still get vaccinated so that you do not get infected and pass it on to a vulnerable loved one, such as a young child or an elderly parent,” he added.
Although a flu shot does not guarantee full protection, it would help to reduce symptoms associated with the flu.
“You will experience far milder symptoms compared to someone who didn’t get vaccinated,” he said.
Therefore, IFL is inviting all Malaysians to get vaccinated against the flu. Members of the public are also called to join the pledge in giving support to get the vaccine.
Last month, the programme registered over 360,000 people who came forward to support the ‘Making Flu Prevention My New Normal’ drive.
Organised by the Immunise4Life programme in collaboration with the Malaysian Influenza Working Group and supported by the Vaccination Is Protection initiative, the ‘Making Flu Prevention My New Normal’ pledge drive was the 2020 focus of the ‘Flu Prevention is an Act of Love’ campaign.
Established in 2013, Immunise4Life is an initiative collaboration project by the Health Ministry, Malaysian Paediatric Association and the Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy.
To learn more about Malaysia’s largest influenza prevention campaign, visit www.actoflove.ifl.my.
