The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has urged those people planning to travel in the coming months to take necessary pre-travel vaccinations to ensure safety amid the prevailing circumstances. The DHA has called on the people to take pre-travel vaccinations at least a month prior to their journey such that the effectiveness of the vaccines is maintained.

The Authority is providing various pre-travel health services such as medications, medical counseling, risk assessment and vaccinations across all its DHA Primary Healthcare Centre.

Speaking over the development, Dr. Alia Mohammad Al Dallal, Consultant Family Physician and Acting Director of Specialised Programme Services Department at DHA’s Primary Health Care Sector, urged people to seek the advice of their healthcare providers before planning their travel with regard to taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Al Dallal stated that it will help them in assessing their medical conditions, allergies (if any), and pre-existing health conditions such that they are able to make an informed decision with regard to their journey amid the pandemic.

Dr Al Hammadi also stated that there are other mandatory vaccines, in addition to the COVID-`19 vaccine, that people may be required to take if they are traveling to certain countries.

For African and South American countries, people are required to take mandatory vaccines such as yellow fever vaccine. Yellow fever poses the greatest health risk for visitors traveling to South America and Central African countries.

Dr Al Hammadi stated that the DHA healthcare centres discuss a number of key factors with the patients during their visit, including the places they intend to travel, length of their stay, their health conditions, medical and vaccine history and current prescriptions. After a detailed consultation, DHA facilities recommend the necessary vaccines to the people. At the same time, they also raise awareness about other necessary travel precautions based on their destination.

Dr. Al Dallal affirmed that vaccination requirements vary from country to country, adding that there are some nations which require second doses also. Therefore, it is important for people to visit a travel clinic at least one month prior to their travel, she added.

In addition, she spoke about other basic precautions that are needed for travelers to ensure in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Depending on the requirements of the travel destination, travelers may be required to undertake a COVID-19 test prior to their journey. They are also needed to time the COVID-19 test correctly in order to ensure its validity at the time of travel. In addition, they are required to comply with all the necessary precautionary measures such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distance and washing and sanitizing their hands during their journey.

Travelers must have a first-aid kit with them at all times in which they are required to carry routine medications such as painkillers and antihistamines.

Dr. Fatima Al Marzooqi, Family Medicine Physician at the DHA’s Primary Healthcare Sector, noted that a number of food and water-borne diseases emerge from contaminated food or water sources. Therefore, she called for practicing safe eating and drinking habits in order to minimize the risk of contracting any food or waterborne diseases during their travel.

Dr. Al Marzooqi also recommended people to purchase travel insurance to help them in covering the costs of health emergencies. She added that the DHA facilities are also providing prophylaxis medication such as anti-malaria tablets people if they are traveling to a country where there is a high prevalence of the disease.

Al Marzooqi maintained that the DHA PHC’s have been recognized as yellow fever immunization providers in Dubai. It is also important to note that only government centers are authorized to issue the international vaccine certification in accordance with the global health regulation rules.

WAM