The Department of Infection Prevention and Control in King Abdulaziz Medical City - Jeddah lunched the Adult Immunization Program under the theme "Whatever your age is .. vaccination matters" with the participation of Executive Director of Medical Services, Western Region, Dr. Mansour Al Jundi, and the Executive Director of the Department of Infection Prevention and Control Dr. Hanan Balkhi. This program comes at the forefront of a number of preventive programs implemented by King Abdulaziz Medical City - Jeddah to promote health and to reduce physical, psychological and social burden of infectious diseases; such programs are: Children Immunization Program, the Comprehensive Immunization Program for Military Personnel, Health Workers Immunization Program, the Flu Shot, Meningitis, MMR, Poliomyelitis campaigns in addition to early detection and immunization for people who has been in contact with patient who suffer from infectious diseases.
During a speech delivered by Dr. Hanan Balkhi, she stressed the importance of vaccinations for adults in order to limit the spread of infectious diseases in the community, and history proved that smallpox vaccination over 100 years ago was a game-changer in limiting the spread of such diseases, thus urging scientists to develop new vaccines. Moreover, Dr. Hanan appreciated the efforts carried out by the Department of Infection Prevention and Control in King Abdulaziz Medical City - Jeddah in targeting the inpatients, the outpatient clinics as well as the health workers in all National Guard Hospitals in Jeddah and AlMedina and all the primary health care centers.
Moreover, Associate Executive Director of the Department of Infection Prevention and Control in KAMC-J , Dr. Majid Al Shamrani pointed out that the Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs is doing its utmost to implement the best international standards to prevent infections through the highest level of expertise who are ready to face any epidemic disease, along with putting vaccination programs forward in order to educate community members, patients and health care workers. Dr. Al Shamrani also added that the adult immunization program included fully equipping a number of clinics and primary health care centers in Jeddah, Mecca and Taif.
In addition, the adult immunization program has utilized adult vaccination cards to include the necessary vaccinations and the patient information, which then be linked with the patient e-file that will help to review previous vaccinations and determine future required vaccinations. The program also targets patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart and lung diseases, immune deficiency and age groups who are most susceptible to infections such as the elderly and pregnant women.
Lastly, Dr. Mansour Al Jundi pointed out the MNG-HA, Western Region, through preventive programs, seeks to achieve a unique integration to raise the level of patient services to the highest professional standards and the application of medical care global standards.