Public health experts in the UAE are requesting residents to take their UAE flu vaccine 2025 for influenza virus early in the flu season to ensure maximum protection. Moreover, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) officially launched the National Seasonal Flu Awareness Campaign 2025–26. Hence, it marks the tenth year of this important initiative aimed at promoting community immunity.
The activity of flu in the country typically peaks between September and March. So, experts recommend early vaccination to build timely immunity. Plus, Dr Nada Al Marzouqi, Director of the Public Health and Prevention Department at MoHAP, said, “The body takes around two weeks to build a strong immunity after vaccination. People should not wait until they fall sick or the season is at its peak to get the full benefits. That is why we motivate everyone to come early in the season”.
High-Risk Groups Encouraged to Prioritise UAE flu vaccine 2025
According to health authorities, some groups are at a higher risk of severe influenza complications. However, these include pregnant women, children under five, and elderly individuals. In addition, those with chronic medical conditions such as cardiac, respiratory, renal, liver, or neurological diseases should also take the vaccine. Moreover, healthcare workers are also strongly motivated to get vaccinated due to their exposure risks.
Abu Dhabi has also launched a centralised alert system to ensure timely protection. However, the system automatically notifies the healthcare providers whenever a high-risk patient visits a medical facility. Hence. It ensures that vaccination is recommended proactively.
Dr Al Marzouqi noted a growing sense of awareness among residents, especially among the vulnerable population. He said, “We have noticed a stronger participation among children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses. This shows that the community has become more proactive about prevention.”
Annual Vaccine Updates and Free Access for UAE Citizens
The seasonal influenza vaccine is reformulated every year to protect against the most common virus strains expected to circulate. Moreover, the vaccine is available in the following forms:
- Standard dose for the general population
- A high-dose version designed for adults over 65, who typically have weaker immune systems.
Dr Ayesha Khalifa AlBasti, Head of the Family Medicine Department at Dubai Public Health, said, “The vaccine is free for the UAE citizens, while expats might access it through their insurance coverage.” Moreover, she added that affordability and accessibility have helped increase the rate of vaccination throughout the emirates.
Supporting the ‘Year of Community’ Through Public Health
The flu awareness campaign of this year supports the ‘Year of Community’ initiative of the UAE by aiming for inclusion and preventive healthcare. Moreover, the campaign reaches diverse population groups through the field vaccination teams, educational drives, and multilingual digital content distributed via television, social media, and other communication channels.
Health officials also highlighted that the vaccination is open to all residents aged 6 months and above. Hence, it ensures a broad community coverage. So, government health centres are providing shots to high-risk groups. On the other hand, private hospitals are also participating to ensure convenience and accessibility.
Harnessing AI for Public Health Efficiency
Dr Shamsa Lootah highlighted that the longevity of the national flu awareness campaign shows the strong commitment of the UAE to preventive health. Moreover, she said, “Its continuity for the ten-year show the sense of our nation of social responsibility and our drive toward a sustainable, prevention-oriented healthcare system.”
She also highlighted that the Emirates Health Services (EHS) is also investing in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to enhance preventive programmes, streamline data collection, and improve healthcare delivery. Moreover, these innovations aim to identify at-risk people faster and ensure timely vaccination coverage across the nation.
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