Health authorities have encouraged vulnerable groups to take the latest flu vaccine in what could be a busy winter for hospitals.
Millions of people are expected to arrive in the UAE this winter as tourism gets back on track and Expo 2020 Dubai gets under way, increasing the likelihood of a new flu virus circulating.
UAE officials have stressed that there is no danger in taking both the Covid-19 and flu vaccine, as long as there is sufficient time between doses for the body to recuperate.
“People should not think twice as this flu vaccine is different to the Covid vaccine, so it is important they take it,” said Dr Hind Al Awadhi, head of health promotion and education at Dubai Health Authority.
“There is no reason not to [take it], we only ask people to leave a gap of two weeks between doses to give their body enough time to develop some immunity," she said.
People should not think twice as this flu vaccine is different to the Covid vaccine so it is important they take it
Dr Hind Al Awadhi,
Dubai Health Authority
The flu virus presents similar symptoms to Covid-19 in humans and causes respiratory problems that can be fatal in severe cases, particularly among vulnerable groups.
“Since last year and the start of the pandemic, the World Health Organisation emphasised the importance of enhancing a flu vaccine campaign and to reach out to the community, particularly those at greater risk,” said Dr Farida Al Hosani, health spokeswoman for the federal government.
“These are frontline health workers, children, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases. It will help relieve pressure on the health sector to complete its health responses and services during the continuing pandemic.
Mask rules 'should keep cases low' this winter
“Wearing masks were one reason why the numbers of flu cases were so low last year but also because we had an effective vaccination campaign.
“We want that to continue this year and we encourage people to follow all the precautionary measures in place to limit the spread of Covid-19.”
Pregnant women, children under five, the elderly and those with existing chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension are considered vulnerable.
These people will be offered the vaccine free, as will all citizens and healthcare workers.
Any member of the public can get the flu vaccine for a Dh50 ($13.60) charge.
There are three variants of seasonal influenza, types A, B and C.
A quadrivalent vaccine has been developed and is being administered, derived from infections recorded in previous months in the southern hemisphere.
A new vaccine is developed each year, relating to the most recent strain of the influenza virus recorded in global communities.
The flu vaccine will be available in the UAE at all primary health centres, private clinics and hospitals but will not be available at dedicated Covid-19 treatment centres.
“We know between 250,000 and 500,000 people worldwide suffer complications and die from flu each year so we should not take it lightly,” said Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, assistant undersecretary for public health.
“It is important for people to take the vaccine, particularly those with other illnesses that could cause complications.
“Any visitor to the UAE can also take the vaccine at a private health centre for a small charge.”
Health officials accepted the public may may have "vaccine fatigue" but should consider how best to protect themselves, especially if they fall into a vulnerable group.
The only people who should not consider taking the vaccine are those who have suffered a severe reaction to the vaccine previously, officials said.
If someone has been ill recently or shown symptoms of other illnesses, they are advised to delay taking the flu vaccine until they have recovered.
As symptoms of Covid-19 and flu are similar, if someone is having respiratory symptoms they should take a PCR test so coronavirus can be ruled out or so they can isolate and recuperate.
Company%20Profile
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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20366hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E550Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESix-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh360%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPEC SHEET
Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core
Memory: 8/12GB RAM
Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
Platform: Android 12
Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps
Front camera: 40MP f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
I/O: USB-C
SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano
Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red
Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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World Series
Game 1: Red Sox 8, Dodgers 4
Game 2: Red Sox 4, Dodgers 2
Game 3: Saturday (UAE)
* if needed
Game 4: Sunday
Game 5: Monday
Game 6: Wednesday
Game 7: Thursday
How%20champions%20are%20made
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The specs
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- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Nissan 370z Nismo
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ethree%20three%20212.7kWh%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201%2C000bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%2C600Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20530km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh500%2C000%2B%20est%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eearly%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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