Flu shots will only be given to Kuwaitis this winter, says country’s health ministry

Kuwait’s health ministry has announced that flu vaccinations for this winter season will only be provided to Kuwaiti nationals due to the Covid-19 situation.

The flu shots will be given at polyclinics, the ministry said.

توضيح صحفي | حملة تطعيمات الشتاء لموسم 2020-2021 تقتصر على المواطنين في الفترة الحالية pic.twitter.com/0f8g4I4PE2

— وزارة الصحة – الكويت (@KUWAIT_MOH) October 17, 2020

The health ministry has so far imported 400,000 doses of vaccinations and distributed more than 100,000 doses of influenza vaccines and 70,000 doses of pneumonia vaccines to 34 clinics and healthcare centres around the country, local media reported.

Last year, the ministry administered roughly 150,000 doses of influenza vaccines and 75,000 doses of pneumonia vaccines, although numbers are expected to be higher this year.

The health ministry launched its winter vaccination campaign against seasonal flu and pneumonia on October 15.

However, the decision to limit the flu shots to Kuwaitis was strong criticised on social media.

Kuwait the country that only provides Influenza vaccine to their nationals, not even by old people and kids first… by nationality, that’s discrimination! https://t.co/8oeNvPNtwO

— Rosita Leon (@RositaLeon) October 19, 2020