Some 37 students from Qatar University’s (QU) health cluster colleges of Health Sciences, Medicine, and Pharmacy participated in a five-day immunisation awareness campaign.
Organised by the QU health cluster in celebration of the International Immunisation Week, the event aimed to increase public awareness on issues, myths and challenges related to immunisation. It also cited the contributions of the Ministry of Public Health and the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS).
Some 28 public health students also helped in organising interactive activities at a booth set up in the women’s food court to brief students and visitors on immunisation in Qatar.
A team from the Ministry of Public Health conducted free flu vaccination that benefited around 150 students.
Sali Mohsen Hafether, a disaster response co-ordinator at QRCS’ relief and international development office, also conducted a lecture titled “Insights on the Inside-Syria Immunisation Campaign,” highlighting the immunisation challenges in conflict areas.
In the spirit of contributing knowledge and expertise towards public awareness, QU health cluster members joined the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) social media campaign titled ‘Close the Immunisation Gap’ using the hashtag #vaccineswork and made use of other WHO awareness materials such as web banners and posters.
In radio interviews, faculty members Dr Sana Abudahab, professor Ala-edin El Mustafa, and Dr Hadi Yassine, addressed a wide range of topics such as the link between autism and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, vaccinations and specific types of cancers, the importance of adult immunisations, seasonal flu and epidemic vaccines.
“The campaign was a learning opportunity for our students to bear an understanding of their future roles in educating the public on important public health issues,” QU vice president for Medical Education and College of Medicine dean Dr Egon Toft said.