As the flu season approaches, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has introduced its annual national seasonal influenza awareness campaign for 2025.
Moreover, the ministry is requesting residents to get vaccinated early. However, the campaign will run from September 2025 to March 2026. The initiative highlights the importance of the flu shot to protect people and communities under the theme: “Protect Yourself… Protect Your Community.”
Top health officials highlighted that taking the flu vaccine every year is an effective way for UAE residents to prevent infection and reduce serious health complications. Hence, Dr Nada Hasan Al Marzouqi, Director of Public Health and Prevention Department, MoHAP, said, “The seasonal influenza vaccine is updated yearly to match the strains expected to spread each year.”
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
The campaign is especially targeted at the high-risk group. However, you can see the list of people who need to get vaccinated below:
- Healthcare workers
- Pregnant women
- Children under five
- Elderly individuals
- People with chronic medical conditions
According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza causes up to 650,000 respiratory deaths yearly. However, developing countries have around 99 percent of deaths under 5 due to influenza-related infections.
Higher Dose for the Elderly
This year, health authorities recommend a higher dose of the flu vaccine for residents aged 65 and above. Dr Badriya Ahmed Al Shehhi, Director of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, said, “The higher doses contain more antigens to give better protection for the elderly.” Moreover, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. Emirates Health Services (EHS) will soon receive the higher-dose vaccine.
Why Early Vaccination Matters
Experts highlighted that the immunity takes up to two weeks to build up after vaccination. However, the vaccine does not completely prevent flu. Still, it significantly reduces the severity of symptoms and complications, especially for high-risk people.
New Centralised Alert System
Abu Dhabi has also introduced a centralized alert system for healthcare workers to remind them to recommend patients in high-risk groups. Hence, this step ensures better coverage and timely protection for residents.
UAE Flu Vaccine
Now, the flu vaccine is available for everyone aged six months and older in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Hence, the health authority motivates early vaccination to protect families, especially the elderly and vulnerable population. So, it ensures a safer flu season across the Emirates. So, you should take the vaccine as soon as possible.
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