The National Immunisation Programme of the UAE has played a vital role in ensuring the nation’s public health services are up to the mark. UAE introduced the programme as early as 1980 and since then it has seen a massive drop in the spread of infectious diseases, except for Coronavirus.
In 2004, the UAE was declared polio-free. Other diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella and pertussis have recorded a significant slump. The UAE offers free immunisation services to its residents to maintain a high level of public health in the country.
If you have recently moved to the UAE and you have a newborn baby, you can get your child vaccinated for free up to grade 11. As per the latest updates, the immunisation programme provides vaccination to students up to grade 11. The UAE government has discontinued administering polio drops for four months and the fourth Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) to children in the age of 15 months in Dubai and 18 months in Abu Dhabi.
You, however, can immunise your child with the below vaccines:
- Bacillus, Calmette-Guerin against tuberculosis
- Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis
- Hepatitis B
- DTaP, Hib, Hep B and IPV
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
- Human Papillomavirus
- Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
- Oral Poliovirus Vaccine
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
- DPT, Hib and Hep B
- Tetanus, reduced Diphtheria and reduced Pertussis
- DTap and Hib
- You can take your child to any of the health centres to get him/her vaccinated by following the below steps. If you reside in Dubai, you can visit any of Dubai Health Authority’s public health centres. If you have any difficulty in finding a centre nearby, you can call up DHA on 800342
- Before heading to the centre, ensure carrying the below documents:
- Photocopies of passport and visa of both parents
- Photocopies of Emirates ID of both parents
- Child’s passport copies with visa or entry permit
- Birth certificate of the child
- Vaccination book of the child
- One passport size photograph of the child
- Tenancy contract or latest Dewa bill
Though the vaccinations are provided free of cost, residents of Dubai need to get a health card that costs Dh 120 and is valid for up to one year. At the registration desk, you must provide all the necessary documents and you will get a health card as well as a vaccination card. Then you can book an appointment for the next vaccine for your child. You can also make a call to the DHA hotline to book an appointment.
