Iraqi MoH urges the citizens to vaccinate amid unprecedentedly high COVID-19 infection and mortality rates

Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment highlighted the unprecedentedly high COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in the country, urging citizens to abide by the preventive measures and register for the COVID-19 vaccination queue.

The Ministry said in a press release today, Tuesday, "Last week witnessed the highest weekly counts since the outbreak of the hazardous pandemic, with 51,387 cases and 250 deaths resulting from complications of the disease. This  is a direct result of the continuing human gatherings and overcrowding in public and private facilities without donning masks."

"The continued Complacency towards preventive measures, ignoring the decisions of the Supreme Committee for National Health and Safety, and the repeated data of the Ministry of Health will lead to high infection and death rates, which may pose a threat to the national health system with the inpatients' volume overwhelming the capacity its capacity."

"Scientific research in various countries of the world confirms the emergence of long-term complications after contracting COVID-19 that may lead to chronic and dangerous diseases. Public health experts and solid scientific studies have emphasized that the only way to control the pandemic and restore normal life is via immunizing the largest number of citizens until we reach the herd immunity, which is approximately 70-80% of society."

The Ministry asserted the availability of various types of vaccines in Iraqi health institutions, adding, "They are effective, safe vaccines approved by well-known international scientific institutions and the World Health Organization. Therefore, we urge the honorable citizens to speed up receiving the vaccine from the approved healthcare outlets."