Annual national seasonal influenza awareness campaign under the theme, “Protect Yourself, Protect Your Community”, is launched in UAE by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). The campaign aims to achieve objectives like bolstering health consciousness throughout society and promoting the critical importance of seasonal influenza vaccination.
Through this national campaign, MoHAP also aims to impart knowledge to healthcare professionals regarding international best practices for influenza prevention and ensure vaccines are readily accessible to target demographics while boosting vaccination rates.
The government announced the plan during a press conference led by the Ministry of Health. This plan is for everyone in society, but it focuses more on specific groups of people like pregnant women, people over 50 or older, those with long-term health problems, kids under 5, and healthcare workers. They want to make sure that everyone knows about this plan, so they will spread awareness using different ways like social media, newspapers, websites, TV, and the radio.
On this, Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, MoHAP, stressed the importance of the campaign, stating that not only does it serve to advance the UAE’s health system's responsiveness to respiratory diseases, but it also strengthens the vital surveillance mechanisms in place. He added, "Our concerted efforts seeking to enhance awareness and promote vaccination are not just measures but a testament to our commitment to nurturing a more sustainable, healthy society. Aligning with the Ministry's forward-looking strategy, we are keen to improve public health standards and foster a community deeply ingrained with awareness and a firm commitment to preventive health protocols."
Furthermore, he requested the community to back the government's national initiatives by committing to vaccination and adopting appropriate preventive practices, curbing the proliferation of seasonal influenza, thus enhancing the community's overall preventive health.