UAE families begin booking flu vaccines ahead of season, data shows

Families across the UAE have started reserving flu vaccines before the peak of the season, with September bookings for at-home vaccinations surpassing the total recorded in the same month last year, according to Justlife.

The company reported that bookings from October to December 2025 were roughly 2.7 times higher than during the equivalent period in 2024. Nearly half of the at-home flu vaccinations administered last season had been given by the end of October, and by the end of December almost nine out of ten had been delivered.

Return to school prompts vaccination push

Dr Jenna Burton, medical director at Justlife, said the start of the school term served as a timely cue for families to consider flu vaccination. “With children returning to school, this is an important time for families to think ahead about flu vaccination. Flu can often be mistaken for a common cold, but it can come on suddenly with exhaustion, body aches, chills, fever and cough. Understanding the difference and acting early can be particularly important for children and others who are more vulnerable to complications,” she said.

The figures cover only Justlife’s at-home service and do not reflect overall vaccination rates in the UAE. Doctors noted that October is an appropriate time to get vaccinated, before influenza begins to circulate widely.

“In the UAE, October is a good time to get vaccinated, ideally before influenza begins circulating widely,” said Dr Bassem Shamseddine, a specialist paediatrician at Mubadala Health Dubai. “Protection takes about two weeks to develop after vaccination.” He added that vaccination remains beneficial later in the season as well. “Children and adults should generally receive the flu vaccine every year because circulating strains change and immunity wanes over time,” Dr Shamseddine said.

Children receiving the vaccine for the first time may require two doses. “Children aged six months to eight years who are receiving influenza vaccination for the first time may need two doses, at least four weeks apart, depending on their vaccination history,” he said.

High-risk groups urged to act early

Dr Mamata Bothra, a specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, also encouraged families to get vaccinated while the campaign is running. The UAE’s seasonal influenza awareness campaign lasts from September to March, and the vaccine requires about two weeks to become effective.

Children under five, especially those under two, pregnant women, adults aged 65 and above, and people with chronic conditions face a higher risk of complications. Dr Shamseddine said these complications can include “pneumonia, worsening of existing medical conditions, and hospitalisation”.

Dr Bothra listed children with asthma, people with heart disease or diabetes, pregnant women, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems among those who should take extra precautions. Healthcare workers and people living with someone at high risk may also be more exposed.

Flu often starts suddenly, with fever, chills, headache, body aches and severe tiredness. A cold tends to develop more gradually, with a runny or blocked nose, sneezing and a milder cough. However, symptoms can overlap, and some children with flu may not have a fever.

Dr Bothra advised parents to seek urgent medical care if a child experiences “high fever, continuous cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, severe dehydration, unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking, or seizures”. Babies under three months with a temperature of 38°C or higher require prompt medical assessment, she said.

Dr Shamseddine recommended that parents watch for difficulty breathing, bluish lips, severe dehydration, unusual drowsiness, confusion or seizures. Medical assessment is also necessary if a child’s symptoms worsen, or if a fever or cough improves and then returns.

Needle-free option and treatment advice

A nasal-spray flu vaccine offers a needle-free alternative for some individuals. Dr Shamseddine said it is generally suitable for healthy, non-pregnant people aged two to 49, depending on the vaccine approved and available in the UAE. It may not be appropriate for pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, or some children with asthma or a history of wheezing. Parents should consult a healthcare provider to determine which vaccine is suitable.

For people who develop flu symptoms, Dr Bothra advised those at higher risk to contact a doctor early. “Antiviral medicines such as oseltamivir may shorten illness and reduce complications, particularly in high-risk patients,” she said.

Dr Shamseddine noted that antiviral medicines work best when started within the first 48 hours, but treatment may still help later in severe illness or for people at increased risk. “It should not be delayed when medically indicated,” he said.