UAE begins a nationwide vaccination programme against influenza – News

The UAE has launched a nationwide campaign urging residents to get their annual seasonal flu vaccine in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH). The campaign is considered one of MoHAP’s most important annual campaigns, and healthcare professionals have reiterated that it’s best to get vaccinated before the flu spreads in the community.

Sanofi Greater Bay Area Vaccines General Manager Fokion Sinis said raising public awareness of the costs and health risks associated with seasonal flu has always been critical. Influenza, commonly referred to as “the flu”, affects and spreads rapidly, threatening the normal livelihoods of society. Successful and effective influenza vaccination campaigns can prevent medical emergencies and increase the number of people vaccinated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are an estimated 1 billion cases of influenza each year, of which 3 to 5 million progress to severe cases, resulting in 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths each year. Sanofi Greater Bay Area emphasizes the need to reduce the severe impact of influenza on the world’s population by producing approximately 200 million doses of influenza vaccine each year. This accounts for 40% of all flu vaccines distributed globally. In addition, with the help of the public health community, the company is stepping up its efforts to conduct rigorous research to develop a more effective vaccine and raise awareness of the disease. Sanofi provides vaccines for children, adolescents, pregnant women, healthcare workers and the elderly, and is the only company to offer a complete portfolio of acellular pertussis products. With more than 8 million doses of the quadrivalent influenza vaccine distributed last year, Sanofi achieved a new milestone as the GCC’s leading supplier of influenza vaccines.

Sinis also added that in order to develop and deliver future vaccines to people around the world as quickly as possible, the company is working with key countries in the region and looks forward to developing the next generation of influenza vaccines using multiple vaccine technologies. The company is working with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, UAE Health Services, Dubai Health Authority and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.