The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has recently issued a ministerial decree concerning the update of the National Immunization Program, in accordance with the latest scientific recommendations and global standards.

In this regard, MoHAP said that it has updated the pneumococcal vaccine from 4 to 3 doses, to be given at the age (two, four and six months). This update is based on the local results and according to vaccine coverage rates, which reached more than 97%.

The pneumococcal vaccine is an essential one for children to prevent pneumococcal disease and its associated hazards.

On another note, the National Immunization Program has listed the infanrix-hexa vaccine (Combined Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis (DTPa), Hepatitis B, Inactivated Poliovirus and Haemophilus influenzae type b Vaccine). The vaccine should be given at the age of 4 months with the suspension of the oral polio vaccine which is given at the same age.

The new update is based on the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the Global Strategy, which aim to add doses of inactivated poliovirus and reduce oral polio vaccines in the immunization programs of various countries.

Furthermore, the National Immunization Program has approved the addition of the meningitis vaccine for school students at the age of 16 to 18 years, to be given to 11th-grade students.

Keeping Abreast with WHO’s Updates

H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al-Rand, Undersecretary of the Ministry’s Health Assistant Sector, Health Centers and Clinics, said: “The National Immunization Program is one of the strategic programs in the UAE and is subject to periodic review through specialized technical committees. This includes; the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group, the National Higher Committee of Immunization, which comprises representatives from MoHAP, in addition to representatives from the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority, academic bodies, and the private sector.”

“We are regularly reviewing the latest global updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and analyzing the local status of vaccine coverage, as well as the number of registered cases of vaccine-targeted diseases in the country,” added Al-Rand.

Community Adherence to the National Immunization Program

Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi, Director of MoHAP’s Preventive Medicine Department, explained that meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes, surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The Swelling caused by this inflammation can develop symptoms such as headaches, fever, and stiff neck. Meningitis vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent bacterial meningitis.

Al Marzouqi added: “Vaccination is one of the best successful interventions in medicine to prevent vaccine-targeted diseases and boost immunity against these illnesses. We, therefore, reiterate the importance of getting these vaccines according to the National Immunization Program to protect yourself and your families. This comes as part of MoHAP’s strategy to provide comprehensive and innovative healthcare services to safeguard the community from diseases.”  

© Press Release 2019

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