Dubai: The Ministry of Health has launched a measles control initiative for children and teens aged one to 18.
The campaign to boost immunity against measles in life with recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO), will run from November 1 to 26 at all health centres and through mobile immunisation teams deployed at schools.
The ministry will run the initiative in collaboration with Health Authority — Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The initiative aims to provide free measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination to all citizens and residents aged one to 18. The free booster will be administered regardless of whether or not an individual has previously been given the MMR vaccine.
Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Centres and Health Clinics at the ministry, said: “The ministry aims to provide all the immunisations and vaccinations as part of its continuous efforts to achieve our wise leaders’ vision of effective implementation of all preventive measures and the establishment of integrated health systems. Our ultimate goal is to strengthen the local health sector in accordance with the highest international standards, reinforce the UAE’s global status in terms of delivering outstanding health care services, and enhance the health of individuals and society.”
Dr Al Rand added: “One of the ministry’s priorities is to boost the community’s immunity against infectious diseases, especially the young. We work hand-in-hand with our strategic partners to provide vaccinations in primary health-care centres and ensure that these vaccines administered by trained and qualified medical and nursing staff are secure and safe.”
