UAE doctors stress importance of getting a flu vaccine before schools reopen

Doctors in the UAE have emphasised the need for students to get vaccinated against the flu before returning to school after the summer break. The flu shot not only safeguards students from illness but also helps prevent the spread of the virus to others.

The flu virus increases the risk of contracting various mild to chronic respiratory illnesses. The vaccine typically provides immunity against the flu in just 15 days of receiving the shot, providing protection against Influenza A H1N1, Influenza B, and H3N2.

Getting flu shots on time is important

The school opening is a fun time for most children, but it carries along certain disadvantages too. During the break, some students are likely to have visited their home countries and might have brought back illnesses, that can be transmitted easily to the healthy ones.

Getting vaccinated on time and abiding by the appropriate precautionary measures helps prevent the spread of the flu. The vaccine must be taken at least 21 days before the onset of the Influenza season so that the antibodies can reach the protective levels in the body.

Influenza (flu) is one of the most common and easily contagious diseases. Other frequent health concerns among students after school reopening include bronchitis, a persistent cough and asthma exacerbations. Catching a cold can trigger asthma attacks.

Other mandatory and optional vaccines in UAE

Besides flu shots, UAE doctors also stress the importance of 5-year-old’s receiving the mandatory DHA vaccines, including the DPT and varicella vaccines, before the reopening of schools after the summer break.

In addition, there are a number of optional vaccines that parents in the Emirates should have an idea about, such as the hepatitis A vaccine, meningococcal vaccine and typhoid vaccine. These are very safe and immensely useful shots to prevent serious infections.