Wednesday, 30 September 2009
As those in Turkey, and around the world for that matter, are wondering what necessary precautions should be taken in warding off the H1N1 flu virus this winter, experts at the Turkish Microbiological Society are dispensing this piece of advice: Stop listening to rumors and start taking action!
By action, they are encouraging people to get their seasonal flu shots. Research experts from the Society held a meeting in Istanbul this week to discuss the threats, precautions and necessary measures to be taken. Dr. Selim Badur, who hails from Istanbul University spoke at a press conference at the Istanbul University Medical Faculty and acknowledged that, “The rise has shown that the new vaccination program needs to be put into place as soon as possible, and in the mean time, people, especially those that are more susceptible to contract the virus, should get the seasonal flu jab ahead of the winter months.”
The Ministry of Health in Turkey has already implemented a free vaccination program for those who are most at risk. Those include children, the elderly and people who already harbor any health issues. However, many health experts put the age of risk primarily in young adults due to a lack of immunity and resistance that they have not built up over the years.
Unfortunately, only ten percent of those within the at risk group have taken advantage of the health ministry’s offer. This is a small figure when compared to Europe’s average number of those vaccinated within the at risk category, 75 percent. Another member of the Microbiological Society who spoke at the conference, Mustafa Bakir, reiterated the importance of the ministry’s involvement, “The ministry needs to ensure that all risk groups are fully vaccinated when the new vaccination is put into place.”
