The UAE has officially expanded its seasonal influenza vaccination program for 2026–27, adding school students and those planning to travel for Hajj or Umrah to the list of priority groups. These new categories join the existing high-risk population, which includes pregnant women, children from six months old, the elderly, individuals with chronic health conditions, and medical professionals. Health authorities have already begun distributing doses across 121 Emirates Health Services (EHS) facilities and initiated specialized awareness drives in schools to ensure widespread coverage as the cooler months approach.

According to Ministry of Health and Prevention officials, the vaccine is provided free of charge to those in high-risk categories, while others can receive it for a nominal fee. This year’s campaign is particularly comprehensive, focusing on common respiratory threats like pneumonia and RSV alongside the flu. Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi emphasized that the seasonal spike in respiratory illnesses typically occurs between September and March, prompting officials to urge residents to adopt preventive habits such as frequent handwashing, surface sanitization, and isolating when symptomatic to curb the spread of infections.