DUBAI: The flu season is here and doctors are urging residents to get the new flu vaccine.
“Influenza is viral and is transmitted very easily. The problem can range from a simple cold to more serious problems like pneumonia. So we recommend that everyone takes the flu vaccine,” said Dr Fatma Al Attar, Consultant Family Physician and Head of the Preventive Services Centre at Dubai Health Authority.
She said the vaccine must especially be taken by high-risk groups that include those over 50, children between six months and 18 years, people with chronic diseases like heart disease, asthma and diabetes, even pregnant women. “Maintaining personal hygiene is equally, if not more, important,” she added.
All public health centres, besides private clinics and hospitals in Dubai offer the vaccine.
Dr Mazin Aljabiri, General Physician at the EHL Dubai Mall Medical Centre, said: “The vaccine arrived two weeks ago and we highly recommend it because it can provide considerable immunity against flu.”
He said the vaccine has no known side-effects, except for a mild soreness where the injection is given. Some patients may feel lethargic or experience body pain for a short while.
Some clinics have launched a campaign to administer the flu vaccine. “It is the start of the flu season and we at UniCare have launched our flu vaccination programme. Getting a flu vaccine is important because seasonal flu is responsible for thousands of deaths and hospitalisations worldwide,” said Dr Rajkumar B. Nair, director of Unicare Medical Centre in Bur Dubai.
The price of the vaccine varies from Dh40 to Dh150 at various clinics, exclusive of the consultation fee.
