UAE schools, Dubai health authority launch free MMR vaccination drive for primary students
Schools in the UAE are partnering with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to offer free MMR (Measles, Rubella, and Mumps) vaccinations to primary school students on campus from November.
The National Measles Campaign aims to inform parents about the compulsory measles vaccination program in Dubai schools and nurseries.
Children aged one to seven will receive a single dose of the MMR vaccine, with the vaccination being mandatory for all students, except those with documented medical contraindications.
The Knowledge and Development Authority (KHDA) emphasizes the importance of ensuring every child receives the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine.
In the UAE, the MMR vaccine is typically administered at 12 months and again at 18 months, with an additional booster shot now required for children. School nurses are being specially trained to administer the vaccines at the institutions’ Vaccine Qualified Clinics (VQC).
School leaders have encouraged parents to register their children for the vaccinations, which can be received either at school or at DHA primary healthcare centers.
The campaign draws on guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), recommending the incorporation of the MMR vaccine into standard childhood immunizations.
Parents are urged to vaccinate their children for extra protection. Schools are also engaging with parents to address concerns and feedback, providing consent forms and detailed FAQs shared by the DHA to assist with any doubts about the campaign.
