Another vaccination campaign against influenza and coronavirus has started in Belarus.
All residents of the republic who wish can sign up for the relevant vaccinations.
The press service of the Ministry of Health reports this.
Why is vaccination important?
The agency notes that the country's health workers invite adults and children to get preventive vaccinations against influenza and COVID-19 every year from September to December.
The Ministry reminds that vaccination is the safest, most effective and easiest way to protect yourself from infection.
Thanks to this procedure, the vaccinated person gains protection from viral attack, meaning he has a good chance of avoiding infection.
And in case of illness, vaccination significantly alleviates its course.
Flu
This year, Belarusians can get a free flu shot using the Russian three-component vaccine “Grippol Plus,” the Ministry of Health noted.
And they added: it is expected that in a week the drug will be tested and will become available for use.
And you can get vaccinated on a paid basis right now. To do this, you should contact your clinic.
We are talking about the French four-component vaccine Vaxigrip Tetra, which has already arrived in Belarus.
The Ministry of Health expects that another paid vaccine, Influvac Tetra (Netherlands), will arrive at the end of September – beginning of October.
The Ministry emphasizes that all influenza vaccines are registered and approved for use in Belarus.
They contain virus strains recommended by WHO for inclusion in seasonal influenza vaccines for use in the 2024-2025 season in the Northern Hemisphere:
– A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus;
– A/ Thailand/8/2022 (H3N2)-like virus;
– B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage);
– B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage) (for quadrivalent vaccines).
It is noted that in the current season, the A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2) virus strain in vaccines was replaced by A/Thailand/8/2022 (H3N2).
Coronavirus
According to the agency, all major vaccine manufacturers have now updated their composition to include the Omicron XBB virus glycoprotein.
Specially manufactured drugs have been put into circulation to protect citizens from mutated variants of the virus.
In Belarus, people will be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Russian vaccine Sputnik Light, which has an “updated antigen composition containing the Omicron XBB virus variant.”
To sign up for a free vaccination, you should contact the healthcare institution at your place of residence, where the list of those wishing to be vaccinated has begun to be formed.
Recommendations of the Ministry of Health
During this autumn-winter period, the Ministry of Health recommends that our compatriots take the following simple steps.
First, try to avoid or minimize your time in places with a lot of people.
Second: If you have a runny nose, cough or sneeze, or if you are in a crowded place, you should use respiratory protection (masks).
In addition, try to maintain a social distance of one to one and a half meters in places where there are many people.
Third . Avoid contact with those who have respiratory symptoms (cough, sneezing, runny nose).
Fourth . You need to constantly wash your hands thoroughly with soap, especially after being outside or on public transport.
Fifth, use antiseptics if necessary.
Sixth. Constantly ventilate the room and do wet cleaning, spend more time outdoors.
Seventh. If your temperature rises, you have a cough, runny nose, headache, and sore throat, you need to stay home and call a doctor.
