SRINAGAR: Urging people to get vaccinated against flu Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Monday said flu vaccine significantly reduces risk of dying from influenza.
“Vaccination prevents flu-associated deaths,” said DAK president and flu expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a communiqué.
Quoting a 2017 study published in Journal Pediatrics, Dr Nisar said flu vaccine was found to reduce the risk of flu-related deaths by nearly two-thirds (65%) among healthy children and by 51% among children with high risk medical conditions like asthma, blood disorders or heart conditions.
“Surveillance for laboratory confirmed influenza-associated pediatric deaths since 2004 has shown that most deaths occur in unvaccinated children,” he said.
The benefits of flu vaccine are impressive in adults too.
“Vaccinated adults were 52-79% less likely to die than unvaccinated flu-hospitalized patients,” Dr Nisar quoted another study.
“Studies have shown people who receive flu shots are 55% less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke that are the leading causes of death both for men and women,” he said.
Dr Nisar said vaccine protects pregnant women from dying. Women are about six times more likely to die if they get the flu while pregnant.
“Flu jabs during pregnancy guard against still-births (when a baby dies in the womb),” he said.
“In Kashmir, 1052 stillbirths were recorded in three years (2013 to 2016) at Lal Ded hospital alone. Most of these expectant mothers were unvaccinated,” he informed.
With early surge in cases and deaths due to swine flu across the country, Dr Nisar said vaccine is the single best tool to protect you and people around you from getting flu
“Ideally, people should get vaccine by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season even into January or later,” he said.
He added while vaccine is recommended for all, it is especially needed in too young, old, pregnant and people with medical conditions.
“The symptoms of flu include high fever, sorethroat, cough, runny nose and bodyache. Flu is spread by coughing and sneezing and people should cover their cough or sneeze and wash their hands regularly to prevent the spread of flu. If you develop flu stay away from work or school for as long as you have symptoms,” said Dr Nisar. (GNS)
NC urges GoI to initiate dialogue
‘Current situation demands sincere conciliatory process’
Srinagar, Oct 22 (GNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Monday expressed concern over government of India’s lackadaisical approach to initiate rapprochement and conciliation process in Kashmir.
In a statement issued from NC headquarters Nawa-e-Subah, Party general secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar reiterated that National Conference is of the firm belief that the solution to Kashmir lies in only dialogue.
“We will make every possible effort to get the state out of the morass of uncertainty and chaos. What happened in kulgam has shaken us to the core and I am sure all the right thinking people in the country have certainly expressed regret over the barbaric killing of 7 youth there,” he said after meeting senior party functionaries at Nawa e subah.
Among others the meeting was attended by Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, North Zone president Mohammad Akbar Lone, Provincial Vice President Syed Shafi, Provincial Secretary Showkat Mir, Provincial Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar.
He said that New Delhi has been serving catchphrases and slogans as conciliation but the current situation demands sincere conciliatory process. “New Delhi is irresolute about the gravity of situation and if the current phenomenon of uncertainty persists it can morph in a much dire situation,” he said.
Sagar expressing his anguish over the loss of many lives at Laroo, Kulgam said that everyday civilians come in line of fire and add to the severity of the situation. “I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the mayhem that was unleashed at Kulgam the other day. I also pray to almighty for the speedy recovery of those who were injured. In this hour of grief our party stands in unison with the distressed families.”
General Secretary said that it was expected that the incumbent administration would embalm the people and lessen their woes by making amends to whatever bad was done in the former PDP-BJP led government. “The iron fist strategy won’t yield any; it will push already aggravated youth to wall. Central government should view writing on the wall and initiate a time bound inclusive political process,” he said.
Comments are closed.