Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences here held a program on influenza to educate participants about viral infection.
A statement said a continuing medical education (CME) program was conducted on "Influenza in Kashmir: Facts and Fiction" in weekly grand rounds at SKIMS where Dr Parvaiz Koul, Head, Pulmonary and Internal Medicine, delivered a lecture on current scene of influenza in Kashmir.
"Various nuances of infection control were discussed and stress was laid upon prevention of influenza by vaccination. Routine influenza vaccination was stressed for people at high risk including those at extremes of age, with underlying chronic respiratory, cardiac, metabolic, liver or neurological disorders and those with immune-compromised states," the statement said.
Dr Omar Javed Shah, director SKIMS stressed upon healthcare workers especially working in critical areas like emergency, intensive care units, pulmonary medicine, geriatric medicine and laboratory workers to get vaccinated to protect themselves, families and patients they care for.
He informed that SKIMS has taken pre-emptive measures this year and free of cost vaccination was being provided to those working in high risk areas including doctors and nurses working in oncology and obstetrics wards. Dr Shah assured the gathering that logistic support to the influenza laboratory at SKIMS would be provided.
