Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) recently launched an annual flu vaccine campaign. It is aimed at protecting all the residents across UAE. The drive combines with the line ‘Immunise Yourself, Protect Your Community’. The campaign was successfully launched by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Centre for Public Health.

Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, who is the acting executive director of external therapeutic services, asserts that timely vaccination and availability of the dose is likely to resduce the risk of severe symptoms and will safeguard people from the flu. Even and hospitalization during the peak season will be decreased than before.

She further added that ‘many of us are starting to see life return to normal, it’s important that we stay alert of other viruses, such as seasonal influenza. We are urging everybody, particularly those in high-risk groups, to take their flu vaccine this year as this can reduce the risk of severe flu symptoms and lessen the chances of having serious flu-related complications that require hospitalization.”

It should be noted that the government has made vaccine available at free of cost people above 50 years of age, children aged 18 years and below. It will also be applicable to people of determination and pregnant women and to all Thiqa cardholders, Hajj and Umrah performers, and those with chronic diseases. For other people it will be valued at Dh50.

Since the medical staff has closely partnered with pharmacy to develop this annual campaign that increases access to the flu vaccine for all communities in Abu Dhabi, as well as all of our employees, thus it has become crucial to provide the flu vaccine to all residents across Seha health centres and Covid-19 drive-through services centres in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.