UAE rolls out nasal-spray flu vaccine, expanding national immunisation options

Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention has introduced the influenza vaccine in the form of a nasal spray for the first time, adding a needle-free option to the approved vaccination choices for the current flu season.

The move expands access to safe and effective immunisation and supports the country’s strategy to strengthen protection against seasonal infectious diseases, particularly among high-risk groups.

The ministry told Emarat Al Youm that the newly registered nasal-spray vaccine meets all national regulatory requirements and offers an alternative delivery method designed to boost mucosal immunity.

The spray protects against the same annual influenza strains covered by the standard injectable vaccine but uses a live attenuated virus and is administered without needles, making it particularly suitable for children and individuals who fear injections, as well as healthy people aged 2 to 49 years.

Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi, Director of Public Health and Prevention at the Ministry of Health, said the nasal vaccine is an “advanced additional option” that first received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2003 for individuals aged 5-49, with authorization extended in 2007 to include children aged 2-5.

Its recent registration in the UAE, she said, reflects the ministry’s commitment to adopting globally recognized preventive practices and strengthening national preparedness for the annual flu season.

She noted that while both vaccines target the same strains, the nasal version uses a weakened live virus to simulate natural infection, helping stimulate strong mucosal and systemic immunity.

Offering multiple options, she added, ensures that different groups can choose a method suited to their needs, ultimately reinforcing community-wide protection.

According to Dr. Al Marzouqi, the nasal-spray vaccine provides several advantages. Its needle-free format makes it more appealing to children and those uncomfortable with injections, while its mechanism of action-mimicking natural viral entry through the nose-supports reducing transmission in the community.

The vaccine is approved for healthy individuals from age 2 to 49. However, six categories are advised not to receive the nasal spray:

For these groups, physicians may recommend the traditional injectable vaccine instead.

The ministry confirmed that the nasal-spray vaccine is already available in selected public and private hospitals and health centers.

Efforts are under way, in cooperation with strategic partners, to expand availability across additional facilities to ensure convenient access and encourage higher vaccination uptake.

The vaccine is registered in the UAE and monitored under national pharmacovigilance systems, with oversight coordinated through the country’s drug-safety framework.

It is also approved by several international authorities, including the FDA, the World Health Organization, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The ministry emphasized that all vaccines offered in the UAE undergo continuous evaluation to meet the highest standards of safety and effectiveness and remain aligned with global scientific recommendations, an approach aimed at ensuring the health and well-being of all community members.