Vaccines ready for pilgrims this year

Dubai: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has completed preparations to vaccinate those travelling on Haj this year.

The DHA has stocked up on all vaccines required for Haj pilgrims across its health centres.

The authority has also tied up with Dnata to provide on-the-spot vaccinations to travellers who buy tickets from the main office of Dnata at Shaikh Zayed Road.

Dr Ahmad Kalban, CEO of Primary Healthcare at the DHA said: "All preparations are in line with the priorities of the DHA to control infectious diseases and to provide the best medical services and advice to travellers who undertake the Haj pilgrimage."

The DHA has prepared health education material with tips and travel advice for all travellers and is distributing this across its primary health centres.

Chronic conditions

The DHA provides all the vaccines which are mandatory for Haj pilgrims, including vaccines against meningitis and seasonal influenza, vaccines for pneumonia for the elderly and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart problems.

Dr Fatima Al Attar, head of preventive services at the DHA said that it is imperative for pilgrims to get vaccinated at least two weeks before they enter Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj pilgrimage.

All travellers who issue their tickets for Haj from Dnata on Shaikh Zayed Road will get consultation and on the spot vaccination at the Dnata centre where DHA has set up a medical centre for this period.