Free flu jabs for some high-risk groups in UAE

File picture

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has stressed the importance of trying to reduce the risk of seasonal influenza by being vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry has just launched the National Influenza Awareness Campaign to encourage immunisation as the season approaches at the end of October.

The drive will continue until the end of January 2021.

The campaign aims to target frontline and healthcare workers as well as people over the age of 55.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, health officials encouraged everyone to get vaccinated because the virus mutates annually.

But people must leave a gap of at least two weeks in between seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

Some high-risk groups will not have to pay for the flu jabs, including people with chronic diseases, the elderly, pregnant women and children under five years of age.

More from UAE

  • Abdullah bin Zayed condemns IRGC-linked cell in Bahrain

    His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has expressed the UAE's support for Bahrain after authorities there said they had uncovered a cell linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

  • UAE President, VPs congratulate Hungarian PM on taking oath

    President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to Péter Magyar on the occasion of taking the oath of office as Prime Minister of Hungary.

  • Abdullah bin Zayed, Estonian FM discuss bilateral relations

    His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed with Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, on Saturday, the latest regional developments and the repercussions of Iranian attacks targeting civilian sites and facilities in the UAE.

  • UAE, Austria strengthen ties during Abu Dhabi talks

    During a working visit to the UAE, Christian Stocker, the Federal Chancellor of Austria met UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to discuss the latest international developments and regional security.