Muscat – The Ministry of Health has urged citizens and residents in priority groups to visit their nearest health centre and receive the seasonal influenza vaccine as part of efforts to protect community health and reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.

Under the campaign slogan ‘Seasonal influenza does not wait… your protection starts today’, the ministry said the vaccine is available at health centres across the sultanate for seven priority groups.

These include healthcare workers, pregnant women, children aged nine months, 24 months, three years and four years, and adults aged 60 and above.

The vaccine is also available to people with chronic diseases, including respiratory, heart, kidney, liver and neurological conditions, blood disorders and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and hypertension.

People with weakened immunity are also among the target groups, including those living with HIV aged six months and above and people taking immunosuppressive medicines.

The ministry has also included Umrah pilgrims among those encouraged to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.

The ministry urged eligible people to visit their nearest health centre to obtain the vaccine and take precautions to protect themselves and others from seasonal influenza.