Rashid Hospital launches adult vaccination campaign.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, September 14, 2015: Dubai Health Authority run Rashid Hospital, recently launched an adult vaccination campaign.

Healthcare professionals addressed public queries and disseminated information about the importance of adult vaccines.

Dr Laila Al Dabal, head of infectious diseases unit at Rashid Hospital, said: “It is misconception that adults don’t need vaccinations since they receive vaccinations during childhood. Studies have shown that not all vaccines are effective for life. The general span of effectiveness of a vaccine can range from a year to 10 years. For example, a flu vaccine is a yearly vaccine and is given during the flu season.  Similarly, a  booster dose of some vaccines which are taken during childhood need to be taken in adulthood to induce immunity. E.g. Hepatitis B.”

Al Dabal added that some vaccines provide lifelong immunity. “ The chicken pox vaccination taken as a child provides lifetime immunity. Therefore, it is important for adult to consult a doctor and go through the vaccinations they took as a child, so that the doctor can guide them with the vaccines they may require.”

She added that immunocompromised individuals, people over 65 years, children under 12 years old, pregnant women, people with cancer or terminal illnesses, people with chronic diseases (such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or respiratory disease.) are high-risk individuals and they should consult their doctor with regard to the vaccines they need to take.

Before travelling, Al Dabal said that individuals should ensure they receive their vaccines at least 10 days in advance for it to be effective. Adults travelling abroad or embarking on a pilgrimage such as Hajj, Umrah or any other pilgrimage where there is a mass gathering  of people need to take certain vaccines such as the meningococcal vaccine.

The DHA’s traveller clinics are located in Al Mankhool and Al Barsha health centre. The clinics are open from Sunday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, please call 04-5021231/ 04-5021274/04-5021230.