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MoH launches varicella vaccine

DUBAI — The Ministry of Health decided to introduce the varicella vaccine (Chicken Pox) as part of the national immunization program to reduce the infection among children especially those under 10 years old.

The vaccine was launched at a workshop here today at Hyatt Grand Hotel under patronage of Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Acting Minister of Health.

About 95 per cent of these children are infected by chicken pox, an infectious disease which is transmitted from one person to another either through respiratory secretions or direct contact with skin pellets. Although chicken pox is not dangerous yet it can lead to complications such as bacterial infections of the skin, lung, brain or joints.

As part of the national immunization program in the UAE, the MoH is keen to follow the latest health progress and recommendations of the world health organization as well as the experience of international countries in using new vaccines that would reduce the mortality rates especially among children.

Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary - Health Policy Affairs, MoH conveyed to the audience the regards of Al Owais, adding that the MoH has been updating the national immunization program to pace with the latest developments in this respect.

For protection, children are advised to take the varicella vaccine to protect them against disease. Additionally, they are provided with two boosters: one at 12 months old and the second booster at 5 years old “one dose”. In some cases the varicella vaccine (chicken pox) is prevented among pregnant women and those have very less immunization such as cancer patients, chemotherapy patients, and genetic disease patients.

The varicella vaccine (chicken pox) is one of the safest and correct vaccinations used worldwide and led to the reduction of disease rates among children. The vaccine has been used in the UAE since a very long time but spread widely among the community members.

Based on a thorough study of the preventive medicine department, the higher national immunization committee at the MoH began using the vaccine to prevent children from the disease and organized a number of training programs for the medical districts staff and technicians. It also printed the health cards of the vaccine and distributed a large number of awareness brochures about the disease.

The total number of chicken pox cases between 2006-2010 reached 461.7 for every 10.000 residents, especially among those less than 5 years old. In 2010, the disease rate was 258.2 for every 100.000 people especially those below 15.