Healthcare minister takes flu shot, calls on citizens to get vaccinated ahead of season

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Health authorities are expectingthe seasonal flu wave to intensify starting late November and early December.

In an effort to promote flu vaccination, Healthcare Minister Anahit Avanesyan personally took the flu shot at the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Medical Center in Yerevan. Avanesyan’s deputies Lena Nanushyan and Artak Jumayan, as well as the ministry’s secretary-general Varduhi Grigoryan joined her.

“We begin the flu vaccination every year in October. This first of all relates to at-risk citizens, children below the age of 12, people with underlying health conditions and people above the age of 65,” Avanesyan said, noting that the flu shot helps prevent possible complications.

“This is the best time for getting vaccinated. If you create the defense layer from October to November, you’ll be ready for the forthcoming season. The flu actively circulates in November, December, January and February,” she added.

The flu shot is available in all polyclinics, as well as the mobile vaccination site in Yerevan’s Republic Square.

Health authorities say the H3N2 subtype, currently circulating in Russia, could potentially spread into Armenia. The vaccine offers protection from both H3N2 and the H1N1.

Health officials also warned that if a person were to get infected with the flu and the coronavirus simultaneously this could lead to serious complications, thus getting the vaccine is highly recommended.