Parents in Abu Dhabi are being urged to ensure their children, aged between one and five years old, are vaccinated against measles after an increase in cases around the world.
Launched by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, the free MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccination drive will run for three weeks, starting from Tuesday.
While measles can affect children of any age, those under five years are seen to be most susceptible.
An additional dose of the MMR vaccine has also been advised for the age group, even if previously vaccinated, for additional protection.
It will be available at 58 health centres in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.
The campaign is in response to a warning issued by the World Health Organisation over a 30-fold increase in the cases of measles across 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia last year, compared to 2022.
According to the data released by the WHO, measles cases in Europe's 41 nations reached 42,200 last year, which is about 45 times the number in 2022. About one in five cases were in people aged older than 20.
Between 2020 and 2022, 1.8 million infants in these 41 countries did not get their measles vaccination, according to the organisation.
Experts have attributed an increase in cases of measles to a disruption of childhood measles vaccination programmes due to the pandemic. The US Centres for Disease Control said more than 61 million doses of measles vaccines were postponed or missed from 2020 to 2022.
“Vaccination is the only way to protect children from this potentially dangerous disease,” Dr Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe, had said, urging countries to take “urgent vaccination efforts to halt transmission and prevent further spread”.
“It is vital that all countries are prepared to rapidly detect and timely respond to measles outbreaks, which could endanger progress towards measles elimination.”
The vaccine protects up to 96 per cent if two vaccines are taken, the first usually administered when a child is 12 months old, and the second at 18 months.
Safety drive
“Protecting our children, who are most susceptible to measles has become our top priority,” said Dr Ahmed AlKhazraji, Acting Director-General of ADPHC.
“We encourage all parents to minimise the potential risks of the disease by getting their children vaccinated.”
The Abu Dhabi centre warned that measles is highly contagious, with the virus spreading easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
It infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body, with symptoms including a high fever, cough, runny nose and a body rash.
Infected people are normally contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears.
The virus can cause severe complications and even death.
According to the WHO, accelerated immunisation drives have successfully prevented an estimated 57 million deaths between 2000–2022.
It was in March when an urgent health alert was issued to passengers on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Dublin after a fellow traveller was found to have measles.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
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Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Western Clubs Champions League:
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- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
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Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
