The University Medical Center, in cooperation with the Infection Control Department at the Directorate of Health Affairs in the holy city of Makkah, announces the launch of a vaccination campaign against seasonal influenza and the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria for the winter season of the current year, 1440 A.H. The vaccination is intended for the target groups among all students and employees of the University in all faculties, directorates, institutes, and the University headquarters in the holy city of Makkah.

Dr. Yassir Hassan Bahakim, Director of the University Medical Center, said that the campaign will begin, Allah willing, on Sunday, 26 Safar, 1440 A.H., and will continue until the end of the working day on Thursday, 11 Jamad Al-Ula, 1440 A.H. The mobile and fixed vaccination teams will visit the sites on the scheduled dates. In addition, the main University Medical Center in Al-Aziziyah will provide vaccinations at any time during the day throughout the period of the vaccination campaign, in order to ensure the vaccination will be given to all the target groups–Allah willing–as follows:

First: seasonal influenza vaccination:

• Vaccination of target groups, regardless of whether they have taken the vaccination in the previous year. These groups include the following:

1. Children between (6) months and (5) years.
2. Those aged 65 years or older.
3. Health practitioners and all groups providing direct health care.
4. Pregnant women during the seasonal flu season.
5. Patients with chronic diseases (renal failure–diabetes–chronic heart diseases–lung diseases–asthma–neurological diseases–chronic liver disease–tumors–sickle cell anemia–hereditary or acquired immunodeficiency).
6. And those from non-target groups who wish to take the vaccination.

Contraindications include:

1. Children less than (6) months.
2. People suffering from severe egg allergy.
3. People who suffered from a severe allergic reaction after taking the flu vaccine last year.
4. People suffering from a severe illness accompanied by fever at the time of vaccination.

Second: the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine:

• Vaccination of high-risk target groups, including the following:

1. Those aged 65 years and older.
2. Age groups (18 to 64) years who suffer from chronic diseases (renal failure–diabetes–chronic heart diseases–lung diseases–asthma–chronic neurological diseases–chronic liver disease–tumors–sickle cell anemia–hereditary or acquired immunodeficiency).

Contraindications include:

1. People who suffered from a severe allergic reaction after taking any one of the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccines last year.
2. People suffering from a severe illness accompanied by fever at the time of vaccination.

In conclusion, Dr. Bahakim stressed the importance of giving vaccinations against seasonal influenza to the target groups, regardless of whether they took the vaccination in 1439 AH. He also stressed the importance of the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccines for the high risk groups. He pointed out the need to cooperate and facilitate the task of the vaccination campaign teams during their visit to the sites in order for them to be able to perform their role in the required manner. At the same time, he expressed his appreciation for the great support and attention of His Excellence Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, the UQU President, and the continuous guidance and follow-up of the Vice President of the University, Dr. Yasser bin Sulayman Shosho, as well as his great efforts to improve the level of treatment and preventive services provided by the University Medical Center for all students and employees of the university, and those eligible for treatment at the University Medical Center. He hopes Allah will help this campaign succeed in carrying out its goals.