Health authorities in the United Arab Emirates have expanded the list of priority groups for the seasonal influenza vaccination for the 2026–2027 season to include school students and pilgrims travelling for Haj and Umrah. This update was announced during the launch of the country’s annual awareness campaign on influenza and seasonal respiratory diseases.

Previously, the vaccination recommendations focused primarily on health care workers, pregnant women, children under five, elderly individuals, and those with chronic illnesses. While the vaccine remained available to anyone aged six months and older, these groups were considered at higher risk for severe flu complications and were specifically encouraged to receive the vaccine. The new guidance adds school students and Haj and Umrah pilgrims to this priority list, citing their increased risk of exposure to respiratory infections.

Officials highlighted that seasonal influenza tends to spread rapidly in classroom settings, thus vaccinating students is seen as a measure to protect not only the children but also their families and teachers. Similarly, pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Haj and Umrah are often in close contact with large crowds and people from diverse international backgrounds, which increases their susceptibility to respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Laila Al Jasmi, Head of the Communicable Disease and Immunisation Section at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), emphasized the importance of including school students in the campaign to reduce flu transmission and help keep classroom absenteeism low during the peak season. Additionally, Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, noted that the nasal spray flu vaccine, introduced last year, is particularly suitable for young children and those with needle anxiety.

Alongside expanding the influenza vaccination campaign, UAE health authorities have also broadened their focus to cover other seasonal respiratory diseases. Pregnant women and older adults are being advised to receive vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a known cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis, to further reduce the burden of respiratory illnesses during the winter months.

By widening the target groups for vaccination, health officials aim to curb the overall spread of seasonal flu and related respiratory infections across communities and vulnerable populations in the UAE.