Qatar Airways organises flu vaccination campaign for their employees in Doha

Qatar Airways recently launched a five-day influenza vaccination campaign for employees of the national carrier group to help ensure the health and wellbeing of employees. The campaign took place from 28th December 2015 to 3rd January 2016 at Qatar Airways corporate offices and Hamad International Airport to ensure that vaccination was available to all of the carrier’s employees based in Doha.

Qatar Airways Head of Medical Service Dr. Soha Al Bayat said: “Qatar Airways continues to prioritise the health and well-being of employees, especially during the winter season. This campaign aimed to provide our local employees in Doha with the influenza vaccination and raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated during winter as a preventative measure.” Qatar Airways is one of the largest employers in Qatar with staff representing more than 150 nationalities. In 2015, the airline increased its group employee numbers by 14 per cent to a year-end total of more than 40,000 staff world-wide.

Influenza is a viral infection that can circulate worldwide and cause annual epidemics. It is thought to affect between five to 10 per cent of adults and 20 to 30 per cent of children resulting in up to five million cases of reported illness each year and tragically, up to half a million deaths according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). As the influenza virus can develop a resistance to the drugs used against it, it is recommend to have yearly vaccinations according to WHO.

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 18th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 175 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. Qatar Airways won Airline of the Year, Best Business Class Airline Seat and Best Airline in the Middle East at the 2015 Skytrax Awards. This is the third time the airline won the accolade of Airline of the Year.