As the new academic year approaches, health experts in the UAE are reminding families to add the seasonal flu vaccine to their back-to-school to-do lists. While shopping for uniforms and stationery is standard practice, doctors emphasize that proactive vaccination is essential for student well-being. Getting the shot early, ideally by mid-September, allows the body the necessary two-week window to build immunity before students return to crowded classrooms, where the risk of transmission is significantly higher.

Medical professionals note that while the vaccine doesn’t guarantee complete immunity, it is highly effective at reducing the severity of symptoms and curbing the spread of the virus. By training the immune system to recognize and fight off seasonal strains, vaccinated individuals are less likely to experience severe illness or pass the infection to others. With the vaccine available for everyone from six months of age and older, health authorities urge the public to visit local health centers as soon as supplies become available to protect not just their own families, but the wider community throughout the peak flu season.