The role of vaccinations in protecting children from life-threatening diseases is not fully understood by many parents in the UAE, research in Sharjah has revealed.
Only 40 per cent of the 550 parents polled by researchers at the University of Sharjah admitted to knowing why they are important, while 14 per cent were vaccine-hesitant.
The 60-question survey, conducted between March and April, aimed to check what parents understood about why it's important to vaccinate their children.
Despite the lack of awareness, 94 per cent of respondents ensured their children got all the mandated vaccines, with 95 per cent showing positive attitudes towards measles, meningitis and pertussis vaccines.
Even before the pandemic, some people were hesitant about vaccines, but it all depends on how well the doctor has explained their importance
Dr Vineeth Alexander,
pulmonologist at Aster Hospital Mankhool
Common themes for vaccine hesitancy include a perceived lack of need, safety concerns, trust and other cultural reasons.
According to Unicef, around 2,000 children in the UAE were unvaccinated in 2023 and considered "zero-dose" (those who failed to receive any routine vaccination).
“Vaccination obviously is highly important, and I think generally in the population here there is a lot of trust in the immunisation programme,” said Dr Rachel Herbert, an infectious diseases consultant at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi. This was highlighted in the high uptake for vaccinations in the survey, she added.
“However, vaccine hesitancy, which is indecisiveness about whether to receive a vaccination or whether to have your child receive one, is an interesting topic. More research is necessary to delve into it as the reasons for vaccine hesitancy are multifactorial.”
Post-natal schedule
Routine child vaccination begins in the UAE shortly after birth, when they are given protection against tuberculosis and hepatitis B. For the first six months, babies are vaccinated against HiB, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Accellular Pertussis, Polio and pneumococcal infections.
Vaccines to offer protection against measles, mumps and rubella, along with a jab to protect against varicella, or chickenpox, continue through childhood. Children get vaccine boosters until they are in grade 11, or aged 16, under the UAE’s mandatory immunisation programme.
The research found most parents were reliant on education by healthcare providers to find out more about the vaccines given to children.
“As clinicians, we must keep the dialogue going and talk to our patients about any fears they may have regarding vaccination,” said Dr Herbert, who referred to children recently arriving in the UAE from Gaza as being the only "zero-dose" children she had treated.
“The traditional vaccines are very well evidenced, generally, and the population is much more digitally literate now. But we need to be aware of information that isn't necessarily evidence-based being circulated on social media. And as clinicians, we need to ask our patients if they have concerns and where they have got that information from.”
Declining uptake
According to the World Health Organisation, national immunisation programmes are the most cost-effective public health intervention, saving 4.4 million lives annually.
The diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine is used as a global benchmark to assess attitudes and the success of immunisation programmes. Worldwide, global uptake peaked at around 86 per cent pre-pandemic, falling slightly to 84 per cent in 2023.
In 2015, the UAE recorded 99 per cent of children had taken the second dose of the measles vaccine, that fell to 94 per cent in 2023. Meanwhile, 96 per cent of children had the DPT-3 vaccine, also down from the 99 per cent coverage recorded in 2019.
An estimated 21 million children remained unvaccinated or under-vaccinated in 2023, according to the WHO, while the number of "zero-dose" children increased from 12.8 million in 2019 to 14.5 million.
Recent global outbreaks of polio and measles have been blamed on reduced protection and compromised immunity programmes in areas hit by conflict or climate change. Coverage of 95 per cent is considered necessary to prevent community outbreaks of disease.
Measles vaccination rates fell well below that figure in 2023, with 83 per cent of children protected worldwide, leaving 22.2 million unvaccinated, and 27 countries reporting immunisation rates below 80 per cent for the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP1).
Of these nations, seven were in Latin America and the Caribbean, with six in west and central Africa and six more in the Middle East and North Africa.
In the UAE, most parents said they fully supported vaccines for children but relied on medics to inform them of when they should be given.
“I didn’t hesitate at all to get my two children vaccinated,” said Emily Fox, a British mum of two who lives in Dubai. “Even though it can be difficult to trust all the information that is out there, doctors are trustworthy so we have always gone along with that advice.
“I don’t know anyone in my circle of parents who did question their safety or who were hesitant in getting their children immunised.”
Flu season
The UAE is about to roll out its annual influenza vaccination programme. The influenza virus changes each year, requiring nations to deliver booster vaccines to those most vulnerable, including children, the elderly, pregnant women and anyone who may be immunocompromised or already affected by a chronic disease, such as diabetes, cardiac disease or respiratory disorder.
Flu season generally runs from October to May in the UAE, with vaccines usually offered from September.
In a survey published in April, of 401 people asked by Ajman University, just 28 per cent had taken the flu vaccine, or were intending to get it.
Seasonal influenza affects around a billion people each year, making it the most common infectious respiratory virus after the common cold.
The WHO estimates around 3-5 million of those cases result in serious illness and up to 650,000 deaths.
Dr Vineeth Alexander, a specialist in Pulmonology at Aster Hospital Mankhool and Aster Day Surgery Centre, said doctors play an important role in educating about the role of vaccines.
“Even before the pandemic, there were people who were hesitant about vaccines, but it all depends on how well the doctor has explained their importance,” he said.
“Patients with multiple diseases, like diabetes, hypertension, or any cardiac issues definitely need to be vaccinated.
"There can be a lot of questions regarding their benefits and side effects. But many studies have proven vaccines definitely decrease the burden of disease and that will definitely help in health care improvement. That is particularly important for children.”
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
SERIES SCHEDULE
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Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
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August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
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August 31
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September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Match info
Costa Rica 0
Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')
The five pillars of Islam
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
The%20Woman%20King%20
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The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai
Abramovich London
A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.
A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.
Steel company Evraz drops more than 10 per cent in trading after UK officials said it was potentially supplying the Russian military.
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Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
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The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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South Korea
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
