Health Centres under the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) have launched the initiative to provide influenza vaccination free of charge to community members. The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi has instructed all health facilities in the emirate to register all influenza vaccinations that are currently being administered through the online system and to report cases of suspected side-effects of vaccination. The DoH has also directed the health facilities to ensure that all workers receive the influenza vaccine, urging doctors also to direct their patients to the clinics where the vaccine is being provided such that the maximum number of people in the community are vaccinated.

Debunking the rumour that the influenza vaccine will infect those who take it with the disease, the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi has also explained that the vaccine contains non-infectious particles of influenza viruses which will help in enhancing the immunity of the human body against the virus.

The DoH stated that there are possibilities that some people may develop flu-like symptoms such as muscle pain and mild fever after they receive the vaccine. However, it has stressed that these are only minor side effects due to the vaccine and are not indicative of influenza infection.

In addition, the department explained that it takes about 1-2 weeks for a human body to develop immunity against influenza. During this time, people may be exposed to influenza viruses before they get the benefits of the vaccine. The department further highlighted that there are times when it is difficult to differentiate between a cold and influenza, noting that both are respiratory diseases and have similar symptoms. But, it further noted that the viruses that cause both diseases are of different types, the vaccine will provide protection against the common viruses.

The department further urged people to take the influenza vaccine in a bid to reduce the burden of the health sector in the emirate such that they can focus on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. It noted that vaccination is important to reduce the possibility of catching common infections amid the fear of both influenza and COVID-19.

Dr Muhammad Moati, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi, said that during the process of giving a flu vaccine, a person is injected with the same influenza virus in an inactivated or weakened form. This helps the body in producing antibodies to the virus, which will protect the person from infection if exposed to the influenza virus at a later time. He further stated that there are different forms of the influenza virus, noting that virus changes and acquires new mutations every year. Therefore, vaccines are required to be changed accordingly such that it can provide protection against the virus.

“The influenza vaccine carries a lot of benefits for everyone who receives it, so we recommend everyone, particularly, over the age of 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic health problems, to get vaccinated annually as they are the most vulnerable to influenza infection. Those who have a weak immune system and may develop pneumonia if they catch the flu are also recommended to get vaccinated every year," he added.

Moati stressed that experts are expecting both Coronavirus and influenza to spread this year, recommending everyone to get the flu vaccine as soon as possible. However, he reminded that the influenza vaccine will not protect against the infection from Coronavirus, noting that it is a different virus.

Explaining several benefits of a flu vaccine, he said that it helps in reducing the severity of the disease which will eliminate the possibilities of hospitalization and risk of death from the disease.

In addition, Dr Lisette Cardona, Chief of health personnel affairs at Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi, stressed that influenza virus is a highly contagious virus, accompanied with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and joint pain lasting between 3 days to 2 weeks.

She further noted that immunity of the human body decreases with time, adding that it is essential to take the vaccine annually to ensure that the body is well-protected. Influenza vaccines also differ every year as it is developed after continuous research is conducted to identify the most common virus symptoms.

Dr Cardona said that it is essential for everyone over the age of six months and pregnant women to take the flu vaccine such that they are protected from the disease. In addition, she recommended people who travel frequently to get the vaccine, noting that seasonal influenza virus varies from country to country.

180,000 have been vaccinated

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has also announced about 180,000 people, citizens and residents have been given the influenza vaccination in Abu Dhabi during the 2019-2020 season. In addition, 22,394 SEHA employees have also been vaccinated as part of the leadership's vision of “Abu Dhabi a healthy society”.

She laid emphasis on the key role played by the annual vaccination campaign in preventing seasonal influenza and providing vaccination free of charge to members of the community. Several awareness and education campaigns were also organised to spread the information related to the importance of vaccination to prevent diseases in various regions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.