Abu Dhabi to give flu shots for free

Visit government-run primary health-care centres for protection against influenza A and B

Residents can visit primary healthcare centres for protection against influenza AandB|

Residents of Abu Dhabi can get free flu vaccines at government-run primary health-care centres, a senior health-care official said.

Each of these vaccines costs about Dh300 in private healthcare facilities.

“Despite this availability, there is still negligible uptake of the vaccines. So we need to build a culture in which people, especially those with low levels of immunity, protect themselves

against the flu,” said Dr Farida Al Hosani, manager of communicable diseases at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad), which regulates the health-care sector in the emirate.

According to Dr Al Hosani, the flu season in the UAE has also been getting longer, and

now starts as early as September. “We saw an upsurge in the number of severe influenza infections last year. In severe cases, the flu can even be fatal for those at risk,” she added.

To protect oneself from the sniffles, cough, headaches and the fatigue that characterise influenza, the doctor recommended that residents visit public clinics, run by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha), to be vaccinated.

“September and October are the best time to get the vaccine. The protection lasts for a year and then you need another shot,” she said.

A typical bout of influenza lasts for a week, but can persist for longer in children, as well as those with low levels of immunity.

It is these people — young children, pregnant women, the elderly above 65 years of age, those suffering from chronic disease like diabetes and asthma, and patients taking immunosuppressant medication — who should prioritise getting the vaccine.