On their day off, when many people might be relaxing, Waqas and Nilum Ashraf have been visiting shelters to provide free flu vaccines for those in need.
"It was our personal decision, so my wife and I do it on Fridays when we have a holiday," Waqas Ashraf tells SBS Urdu.
"We are both pharmacists and this way it doesn't affect our work."
Highlights:
- Experts warn Australia faces a bad flu season after two relatively quiet years
- Canberra-based pharmacists Waqas and Nilum Ashraf are helping distribute flu jabs to those in need
- The couple have received praise for their act, including from the High Commissioner for Pakistan to Australia
Influenza cases dropped dramatically over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but experts say the easing of restrictions brings with it a return of the flu.
According to the Australian Influenza Surveillance Report 2022 released by the Department of Health, more than 7,000 people were diagnosed with the flu between 25 April to 8 May, three times more than in the previous fortnight.
By mid-April, weekly flu cases had exceeded the five-year average.
"We are currently living in a pandemic and it is a long way from over," says Mr Ashraf, who migrated to Australia in 2006.
Waqas Ashraf is holding free vaccination drive at Havelock house Canberra. Source: Twitter/@Zhchaudhri
"The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation says flu season will be very bad this year, so we decided to serve humanity by distributing free vaccines," he says.
Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during 2022 due to circulation of the influenza virus, the reduced coverage of influenza vaccines compared to previous years and reopening of borders.
Mr Ashraf, who has also previously operated blood drives and donated COVID-19 supplies to public schools, says his flu vaccine drive is targeted at those who cannot afford the vaccine or may not be aware of its seriousness.
Nilum is helping her husband in this drive to vaccinate needy people. Source: Twitter/@Zhchaudhri
"We have visited shelters and vaccinated some of the most vulnerable," he says, explaining that they completed the vaccine drive with assistance of Helping ACT, a non-profit organisation.
He says that in four hours they are able to vaccinate about 35 people, as in this timeframe they also conduct pre-screening and 15 minutes of observation.
"We paid a thousand dollars out of our own pocket to cover the cost of the vaccine, but it's a small cost to pay for helping others," he claims.
The couple’s work has drawn praise from the High Commissioner for Pakistan to Australia, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, who tweeted:
The Australian Pakistani couple is always at the forefront of charitable work & helping communities. Source: Twitter/@Zhchaudhri
But Mr Ashraf points out that the program does not specifically mention any approach for homeless people.
"By helping such people, we can play a role in reducing the epidemic and keeping everyone safe."
According to the Australian Department of Health, more than 300,000 flu cases were reported in 2019 before the Coronavirus pandemic. Of this number, 3,913 people were admitted to hospital in intensive care.
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