UAE residents can now take COVID-19 vaccine and influenza jabs on same day

UAE residents can now take COVID-19 vaccine and influenza jabs on same day

Residents in the UAE can now take the Covid-19 and influenza vaccines on the same day, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s (MoHAP). The authority stated that the earlier gap of two weeks is no longer required per the new regulations.

This announcement on Monday (September 26) came as a part of MoHAP’s official launch of the National Seasonal Flu Awareness Campaign under the theme “Protect yourself...Protect your community”.

Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, said, “People can take both Covid and the flu on the same day now. That’s what the latest studies and investigation suggest. This is as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation.”

Health officials also explain that the Covid vaccine was previously granted an emergency use authorisation and has since been closely evaluated, prompting the removal of the two-week gap.

Flu cases on a significant rise this year

Meanwhile, authorities highlighted that the number of flu cases and other communicable diseases has significantly risen in the country this year as compared to the last two years.

”The number of Covid cases has been a lot more in the previous few years as compared to the influenza cases. But this year, we’ve noticed