The United Arab Emirates has expanded its seasonal influenza vaccination program to include school students as a high-risk group, with free vaccines now being offered to students across public and private schools. This development was announced following the launch of the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s national flu awareness campaign for the 2026-2027 season.
The country has widened its priority list for flu vaccination from five to seven groups, now including pilgrims traveling for Haj and Umrah, as well as school students. The Emirates Health Services (EHS), responsible for public health care in the Northern Emirates—Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah—is administering the vaccines free of charge at schools this year. This program also extends to teachers and school staff to protect the broader school community.
Dr. Shamsa Majid Lootah, Director of the Public Health Department at EHS, emphasized the importance of immunizing students due to their potential role in transmitting influenza within families and wider communities. She noted that the vaccination is available regardless of nationality or residency status, covering citizens, residents, and others alike. University students are also included through institutions that operate on-campus clinics.
In addition to traditional injectable vaccines, a nasal spray option is being introduced to address needle apprehension among students. EHS plans to offer the nasal spray free of charge once it becomes widely available. In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Health has already deployed the nasal influenza vaccine for eligible groups this season in select health care facilities. Dr. Mahra Al Hosani, Director of Surveillance and Outbreak Response for Abu Dhabi, explained that the nasal vaccine is specifically allocated for certain age groups and must be administered following medical assessment.
Abu Dhabi’s free vaccination program covers holders of Thiqa health insurance and non-Thiqa residents identified as high risk, including adults over 50, children under five, pregnant women, smokers, and pilgrims. It also encompasses residents with a body mass index of 40 or higher and individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular and lung diseases, liver conditions, and kidney failure. The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre further supplies free vaccines to private sector workplaces.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is attempting to negotiate with insurers to allow flu vaccinations to be administered directly within schools, rather than requiring visits to health clinics. Dr. Hana M Saleh Salama, Senior Specialist at DHA’s Communicable Diseases Prevention Department, indicated that while insurers currently cover vaccinations at medical facilities, they have reservations about school-based administration. DHA is coordinating with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority to communicate any school vaccine rollout plans.
The nasal spray vaccine is also available in Dubai but only via prescription following a consultation at a healthcare facility. Dr. Hana highlighted that the spray offers a less painful alternative to injections, particularly for children.
UAE health officials reiterated that influenza vaccination for students remains voluntary, though public health authorities strongly encourage uptake. They cited the potential to reduce absenteeism and limit transmission of the virus from students to vulnerable populations, including newborns, pregnant women, and elderly family members.