Thousands vaccinated in Kyrgyzstan seasonal influenza immunization campaign

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During the vaccination campaign, the Ministry of Health commended health-care workers as true ambassadors for health and well-being in their communities. The majority of these health-care workers are women. They work on a daily basis with the families and individuals in their communities, gaining their trust through regular visits, family check-ups, and simply by getting to know them. When the Ministry of Health introduces a new vaccine, the health-care workers are the first to learn about it, so they can discuss the vaccine’s safety and efficacy with their patients.

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Health-care workers of the Family Medical Centre in Bishkek vaccinate more than 40 individuals per day and inform them about the safety of the influenza vaccine and the importance of being vaccinated before the influenza season peaks in December. Damira has been a health-care worker for more than 30 years and she is incredibly proud of her work. She is a very energetic person, according to her colleagues and patients, and, like all health-care workers, Damira keeps detailed charts on all of her patients, including their immunization records. She is also responsible for keeping track of the vaccines in the health post. She makes sure that influenza vaccine and other vaccines that need to stay cold are monitored and checked according to a strict schedule. 

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Mira, Gulsara and Kanymgyl have been working at the Family Medical Centre for many years, and like hundreds of other vaccinators in Kyrgyzstan, they were trained in 2017 to deliver the seasonal influenza vaccine effectively and safely. The trainings, which took place throughout the country, included guidance for storing and administering the multi-dose vaccine vials. Health-care workers believe that being trained on administering multi-dose influenza vaccine is essential for them, because Kyrgyzstan has not worked with this type of vaccine before. 

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The month-long campaign in Kyrgyzstan encouraged health-care workers and those at risk of influenza-related complications to be vaccinated against the virus. Damira, Head of the Family Medical Centre, was no exception. She receives an influenza vaccine annually. “Annual vaccination against seasonal influenza helps me to protect my patients, colleagues, family members and myself. It ensures the availability and continuity of health-care services, and can reduce the risk and consequences of influenza transmission to any other people,” she explained. 

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The seasonal influenza immunization campaign also captured another vulnerable group – residents of the Social Stationary Institution for the Elderly and People with Disabilities. Zaur lives in the institution and was informed by doctors that as an older person he is at much greater risk of being hospitalized due to influenza. This is because the immune system weakens with age and becomes less effective in fighting infections, including influenza. During the campaign, he received a seasonal influenza vaccine for the first time. 

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Baizakova has been a resident of the institution for more than 10 years. She has some health problems affecting her legs and walks with difficulty. Baizakova gets an influenza vaccine annually and she is very well informed about vaccination. 

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A large proportion of Kyrgyz older people live below the poverty line and in many cases without a supportive family. Baizakova makes handicrafts and souvenirs to earn additional income, and usually spends almost all of it on medicines. "Fortunately regular medical check-ups and influenza vaccines are free, but sometimes we just don't have enough money to buy other essential medicines," Baizakova explains.

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Ozubek and his wife Taajkan are new residents of the institution. Ozubek gets the influenza vaccine because he believes that it helps him avoid getting sick. He has chronic lung disease and influenza might seriously worsen his health. Getting vaccinated every year before the influenza season starts is the best way to reduce the risk of infection and reduce the risks of severe disease, hospitalization and even death. 

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Protecting as many people as possible within the vulnerable groups was at the heart of the seasonal influenza immunization campaign. WHO and CDC estimate that every year 75% of the 44 000 influenza-related deaths are in older people. Thanks to the efforts of many who contributed to this immunization campaign, Ozubek and Taajkan, like thousands of others in Kyrgyzstan, are now vaccinated and have a much reduced risk of suffering from influenza this year.