DUBAI: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched its annual national seasonal influenza awareness campaign under the theme ‘Immunise Yourself, Protect Your Community’. Running until March 2025, the campaign is organised in collaboration with Emirates Health Services, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre – Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority, and Dubai Health.
In addition to boosting community awareness and enhancing prevention methods, the campaign aims to reduce disease complications, encourage vaccinations among community members, and improve the proficiency of health workers by training them in the latest international protocols for the prevention and control of seasonal diseases.
The flu drive was launched during a press conference held by the Ministry at the Museum of the Future in Dubai. The event was attended by Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention; Dr. Faisal Musleh Al Ahbabi,
Acting Executive Director of the Communicable Diseases Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, and a number of other officials.
Targeting a wide range of community members, the campaign prioritises pregnant women, individuals aged 50 and above, those with chronic diseases, children under five, and healthcare workers. To effectively spread its awareness messages, the campaign will make use of various media platforms, including the Ministry’s digital channels, newspapers, websites, TV, and radio programmes. Additionally, awareness materials will be prepared for broadcast on TV channels and news websites, while community events will be organised in shopping centres and educational institutions to further engage the public.
Dr. Al Rand emphasised that the national seasonal influenza awareness campaign is part of the implementation plan of the National Policy on Vaccinations, which provides a national framework to combat communicable diseases, including seasonal influenza.
He stated, ‘Through this campaign, w
e look forward to improving the health system’s response to respiratory diseases and strengthening surveillance mechanisms by integrating the efforts of health authorities and leveraging the national health system to improve vaccination coverage outcomes through our network of health facilities.’
He emphasised that the National Immunisation Programme is the most comprehensive preventive measure, enhancing community immunity against targeted infectious diseases through vaccination. It features vaccine campaigns at health centres, government agencies, and mobile units, facilitating access to vaccinations and bolstering disease prevention and management awareness.
Dr. Faisal Al Ahbabi, Acting Executive Director of the Communicable Diseases Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said, “The 2024 flu campaign aims to increase community understanding of the fundamental importance of vaccination, the most effective method for preventing influenza and its complications. We urge everyone to follow preventive measu
res to reduce the spread of the flu virus in the community.”
“We strongly recommend that everyone six months of age and older, especially those in vulnerable groups such as seniors, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses, receive the annual influenza vaccine,” Al Ahbabi concluded.
Source: Emirates News Agency