Weekly Monitoring of COVID-19 and Influenza in Isfahan; Vaccine Refusal a Challenge

Isfahan – The Head of the Infectious Diseases Group at the Isfahan Provincial Health Center said the status of influenza, COVID-19 and some respiratory diseases is monitored weekly across Isfahan Province.

In a conversation with Mehr reporter, Reza Fadaei stated: In the beginning of October, no significant increase in influenza activity has been observed, but with the arrival of the autumn season, the increase in the number of cases of this disease will be normal.

He reported on the weekly monitoring of the situation of influenza, corona and some respiratory diseases in Isfahan province and added: observing personal hygiene, washing hands, staying sick people at home and using masks in crowded places can help reduce disease transmission.

Stating that the peak of influenza cases is usually observed in December and another wave may occur around March, the head of the Infectious Diseases Department of Isfahan Province Health Center added: Influenza vaccine injection is not only limited to the early months of autumn and can be useful for disease prevention during the cold season as well.

He emphasized: A part of the imported influenza vaccines will be provided to the government system to be used for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and some high-risk groups, according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health.

Domestic vaccine production is not sufficient for the country's population

Fedai emphasized the need to strengthen the infrastructure of vaccine production in the country and stated: Iran has a history of about 90 years in vaccine production, but the domestic production capacity currently does not meet all the needs of the country's population, and a part of the needed vaccines is provided from other countries, especially India.

He added: "Strengthening and modernizing vaccine production lines in the country can help to provide stable vaccines needed by the population and reduce dependence on imports."

The head of the Communicable Diseases Department of Isfahan Province Health Center said: Vaccination coverage in Isfahan Province is between 95 and 98%, but in some areas and centers there are cases of vaccine evasion, which requires culture and persuasion of families.

He considered vaccination to be one of the most effective preventive measures against infectious diseases and added: Since the beginning of vaccination programs, according to the statistics, the death of around 154 million children in the world has been prevented.

Fadaei stated: Nearly 90 million of the prevented deaths from infectious diseases were related to measles, and the polio vaccine has prevented the paralysis of about 20 million children in the world.

Referring to the importance of vaccination in the health of society, he said: the vaccine is not only for the protection of the receiving person, but the proper coverage of vaccination creates a defense layer for the entire society, and the reduction of this coverage can provide the basis for the return of some infectious diseases.

The head of the Communicable Diseases Department of Isfahan Provincial Health Center said: Dealing with vaccine aversion should be followed through dialogue, culture building and persuasion of families, and the media can play an important role in this field by informing about the benefits of vaccination and the consequences of reducing vaccine coverage.