The Ministry of Health and Community Protection has launched its annual national awareness campaign to prevent seasonal influenza, providing adequate vaccines to vaccinate the target groups and increasing the coverage of the vaccine.

The Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Centers and Clinics Sector, Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al-Rand, that influenza is an economic and social burden, pointing to the need to prevent them.

This came during a press conference held by the Ministry yesterday, at the InterContinental Festival City - Dubai, to announce the launch of the campaign, in the presence of the Dubai Health Authority and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center.

Al-Rand reported that there are five categories that are more vulnerable to influenza complications: the elderly, children under five years old, patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women and health workers, noting that the campaign aims to educate health workers and train them on modern methods of prevention of the virus.

Al-Rand said that seasonal influenza poses a challenge to the health systems in the world, as well as a health, social and economic burden, which requires work to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, control of infection, and provide preventive measures against infection.

Dr. Badriya Al Harami, Director of Public Health Protection at the Dubai Health Authority, said that the Authority's strategic priorities include providing comprehensive health coverage to ensure the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

She stressed that the vaccine is safe, and is given to people from the age of six months, calling on everyone to go to primary health care centers, and take the vaccine, to reduce the spread of the disease.

Al-Harami said that the price of the vaccine for non-citizens ranges between 50 and 150 dirhams, according to the medical center, while citizens get free of charge.