The campaign raises awareness about the importance of vaccination against the disease to combat the flu this winter season and comes as part of the #FestivalCares CSR programme

Doha, Qatar –  17 January 2023: Doha Festival City, Qatar's one and only international choice for shopping, dining, and entertainment, announced that it is organising a flu vaccination campaign in partnership with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). The campaign, which will last from 16 – 26 January will feature a booth in which health professionals from HMC will be present to raise awareness on the importance of protecting oneself against the disease and to administer the vaccine to the Mall’s visitors and customers.

Commenting on the announcement, Robert Hall, Festival City General Manager, said: “Building on the success of previous joint health campaigns, we are happy to partner with Hamad Medical Corporation again at Doha Festival City. We are launching our #FestivalCares CSR programme for this year in working together to spread awareness on the importance of the flu vaccination and provide easy access to the vaccine for those who need it. We encourage our customers and visitors to visit the booth and learn more about flu and its prevention from the health experts and educational material available, as well as taking the opportunity to receive the vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones this winter season.” 

The vaccination campaign is part of the wider national vaccination and awareness campaign in Qatar which HMC is organising with the Primary Healthcare Corporation and the Ministry of Public Health, which encourages the residents of Qatar to avail free flu vaccination to protect themselves and their families. Doha Festival City encourages its customers and visitors to avail this opportunity to receive the flu vaccine at the booth during this campaign designed to offer them and their families protection from the disease which is especially prevalent in the winter season.

Even though it is a seasonal disease which has become a household norm during the winter season, HMC urges the public to never underestimate the flu, especially after the dire impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the wide spread of various respiratory diseases worldwide. Dr. Muna Al Maslamani, Medical Director of HMC’s Communicable Disease Center said: “Influenza can have detrimental consequences to health, especially to the people at most risk, including those over 50 years of age, children between 6 months to 5 years of age, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions or immunodepresssion, and healthcare workers.”

“We are delighted to partner with Doha Festival City to help raise awareness of the flu vaccination program and grateful for their support. The awareness booth will support our community engagement efforts and enable easy access to the flu vaccine for the public,” added Dr. Al Maslamani. 

A key player in the CSR field, Doha Festival City is always at the forefront of supporting socially beneficial programmes and initiatives that empower the local community and raise awareness regarding social, health, developmental, and educational issues in Qatar through its robust #FestivalCares CSR programme.

The Flu Vaccination campaign is taking place from the 16th of January to the 26th of January at a booth located on the first floor between Debenhams and Marks and Spencer. The booth is open daily from 1 PM to 9 PM.

In line with the preventative measures set out by the State of Qatar to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and to ensure a safe shopping environment for all, Doha Festival City commits itself to continuous necessary health and safety measures throughout the mall. This includes a thorough mall disinfection treatment on a weekly basis, robust cleaning, and sanitization operations during mall trading hours, 127 hand sanitizing stations installed in the areas that have commonly touched surfaces.