UAE health officials urge flu vaccinations amid rising school infections

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has urged residents to receive seasonal influenza vaccinations to prevent serious illness and hospitalization. The ministry noted that the vaccine can provide up to 90 per cent protection against clinical illness in healthy adults and is available to anyone aged six months and older through government and private healthcare facilities.

Concurrently, schools and medical professionals in the UAE are issuing warnings regarding a rise in respiratory infections following the return to school. Some schools have reported influenza cases across various year levels, advising parents to keep symptomatic children at home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Pediatricians have observed an early wave of influenza A infections this year. Common symptoms include high fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and body aches, which can last between 7 to 10 days. In children, symptoms may also include vomiting or diarrhea.