Prime Highlights:
- Parents in the UAE are increasingly taking their children for flu vaccinations ahead of the new school year.
- Doctors stress that flu shots are vital in preventing serious illness and reducing the spread of infections in schools and homes.
Key Facts:
- Hospitals and clinics have reported a clear rise in vaccination demand among children in the past week.
- Medical experts confirmed that the flu vaccine is safe, does not cause flu, and needs to be taken annually because immunity reduces over time and the virus changes frequently.
Key Background:
As the new academic year is approaching in the UAE and on the ground at hospitals and clinics, there is a noticeable increase in the number of parents who are bringing their kids for flu jabs. Medical experts say families are taking proactive measures to protect young ones from seasonal influenza, a virus that can lead to serious illness and missed school days.
Dr. Binoy Thomas, a paediatric specialist at NMC Medical Centre in Al Nahda, explained that as schools reopen and children interact more, they become more vulnerable to the flu, which can cause serious health problems if not treated. Their developing immune systems make them more vulnerable, and they are more likely to contract and spread the virus in schools and daycare centres. Severe flu cases can even lead to pneumonia, ear infections, or hospitalisation,” Dr Thomas explained.
Dr. Helen Ismael, a children’s health specialist at Burjeel Medical Center in Al Zeina, Abu Dhabi, said that more parents are getting their kids vaccinated recently.
“In the past week, we’ve noticed more children being vaccinated compared to earlier this month. Parents are becoming increasingly vigilant about protecting their children’s health as the school year begins,” she said.
Doctors stress that flu vaccination not only shields children from the virus but also reduces the risk of serious complications and helps curb its spread within classrooms and households. “Children spend long hours together in close settings, which makes virus transmission easier. Flu shots are crucial in preventing complications such as pneumonia, asthma flare-ups, or dehydration,” Dr. Ismael noted.
Medical professionals also urge parents to ignore myths surrounding the flu vaccine. “Vaccination is proven to be safe and effective, yet coverage among children remains lower than recommended due to persistent misinformation. Dr. Thomas added that the flu shot cannot give you the flu, and it is important to get vaccinated every year because protection weakens over time, and the virus keeps changing.
With back-to-school season underway, healthcare providers continue to encourage parents to prioritise flu vaccination, protecting not only individual children but also the wider community.
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