School starts soon: What vaccines UAE parents should check before children return to class

As UAE schools prepare to reopen next week, parents are urged to prioritize vaccination checks before children return to the classroom. Dr. Shereena Khamis Al Mazrouei, a health promotion expert at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, highlighted the importance of children's health and wellbeing upon returning to school. Parents should review routine immunizations and ensure their children are up-to-date on age-appropriate booster doses.

Dr. Vishrut Singh, a pediatrician at Aster Clinic, recommended checking specific vaccines like MMR, DTap/Tdap, and meningococcal vaccinations, especially for older students. Singh suggested completing the MMR schedule at least two weeks before school starts to allow immunity to build. Varicella (chickenpox) vaccination should also be considered if missed doses have occurred outside the UAE.

Dr. Puneet Wadhwa, a pediatrician at Prime Hospital, advised considering the seasonal flu vaccine, which is expected to become available in the first week of September. Families traveling internationally should seek medical advice for specific preventive measures, such as yellow fever vaccination for African destinations and malaria prophylaxis for malaria-prone countries.

For children who have traveled, a health review should account for the destination, length of stay, and associated health risks. Dr. Riham Ismail, a specialist pediatrician at Medcare Women and Children Hospital, recommended consulting a pediatrician for children with unknown vaccination status and maintaining both digital and physical copies of vaccination records.

Beyond vaccinations, UAE health experts emphasized restoring healthy routines as children return to school, including adjusting bedtimes, ensuring balanced meals, and encouraging physical activity. Mental wellbeing should also be considered during this transition.