Dubai caps prices of flu shot at Dh100
dubai — With hospitals and clinics seeing an “unprecedented” demand for the seasonal influenza vaccine, especially amid Covid-19, prices for the jab ranged from Dh40 to Dh120. However, on Tuesday, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced that they can no longer charge over Dh100.
The DHA issued a circular to the emirate’s healthcare facilities, capping the prices of flu vaccine offered at private hospitals and clinics.
It said these health centres must also “refrain from charging any additional service-related fees, (including but not limited to: administrative fees, offering fast service, service delivery onsite, at work or at home, etc), especially for patients who visit the facility to take the vaccine with no symptoms or request for any other medical service”.
Health authorities across the UAE have launched awareness drives to encourage people to get vaccinated against flu, stressing that taking the shot has become more important in the time of Covid-19.
DH21
Actual cost of flu shot, according to a health insurance expert
Doctors have reiterated that although the flu vaccine does not protect one from Covid-19, it may reduce its severity by boosting general immunity.
With the sudden surge in demand this year, a number of private hospitals and clinics have said that they ran out of stock of both the trivalent and the newly introduced quadrivalent flu vaccine. They are hoping to receive fresh stocks in the first week of November.
According to a health insurance expert, the actual cost of the flu shot is around Dh21. However, the pricing varies depending on the demand, availability, consultation charges and the kind of facilities offered by different hospitals.
Free vaccination
DHA health centres have been offering free vaccination for Emiratis, seniors aged 65 and above, children below five years old, pregnant women and people of determination. All other residents who are not under the high-risk group can get the jab for Dh50 (excluding consultation).
Prices adjusted
Several hospitals in the emirate, were charging over Dh100 for the flu shot, after including consultations that varied from one facility to another.
NMC, Zulekha Hospital and International Modern Hospital were among them but, now, they have already implemented the new rule and capped their flu vaccination at Dh100, including consultation charges.
Aster Clinics have maintained their price of Dh70 for adults (no consultation) and Dh89 for children (inclusive of consultation fee). At Aster Hospital, the flu shot is priced at Dh99 for both adults and children, including consultation. Health insurance coverage is not applicable in both places.
Medcare Hospitals and Medcare Medical Centres have fixed their vaccination price for children and adults at Dh99, while Prime clinics are administering the shot at Dh75. Burjeel Hospital Dubai offers it at Dh99.