UAE prepares for flu season by urging vulnerable groups to take vaccine
Vulnerable groups in the UAE have been urged to take the flu vaccine to protect themselves this winter. A national campaign was launched on Tuesday, with the flu season in the UAE usually beginning in late September and running until late March. In the Southern Hemisphere, which has just had its winter, the total number of cases dropped significantly this year, compared with a far more severe…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is preparing for the upcoming flu season by encouraging vulnerable groups to receive the flu vaccine. The national campaign to promote vaccination was launched on Tuesday, with the flu season typically starting in late September and lasting until late March in the UAE. In comparison to the Southern Hemisphere's milder winter, the UAE is taking proactive measures to protect its population from potential severe cases of the flu virus.
Dr. Hussain Al Rand, assistant undersecretary for public health at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, emphasized the importance of prevention as a sustainable approach to safeguarding public health. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the significance of vaccines, particularly the flu vaccine, and other seasonal respiratory diseases. Healthcare professionals will also receive training on best practices for disease prevention.
The flu virus undergoes mutations each year, necessitating new vaccines before winter to ensure maximum protection. While most individuals recover without treatment, the illness can still pose risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, healthcare workers, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions.
Globally, an estimated one billion cases of seasonal flu occur annually, resulting in three million to five million severe cases and up to 650,000 respiratory deaths. In developing countries, children under five bear the brunt of these fatalities, accounting for 99 percent of them.
To effectively combat the flu, Dr. Heidi Abdelhamid, a GP at Medcare Medical Centre in Al Yufrah, Dubai, emphasized the importance of good hand hygiene alongside vaccination. She stressed that proactive preparation is key, as vaccination remains one of the most effective means of protecting against preventable infections and reducing the risk of severe disease and complications.
Abdelhamid recommended that individuals consult their healthcare providers to determine the appropriate seasonal vaccines based on their age, medical history, and individual risk factors. Prevention is undoubtedly preferable to treating avoidable complications after illness has developed.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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