Travelling for Umrah or Eid holidays? UAE doctors urge parents to ensure children are vaccinated

Around 20 per cent of parents in the UAE forget their children’s routine vaccination.

That’s according to doctors in the UAE who highlighted that most parents are unaware that missed vaccines could be taken later through a “catchup” schedule.

Medics explained the mandatory childhood vaccines as per the Department of Health (DOH) are BCG, Hepatitis B vaccine, Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus vaccine, Haemophilus influenza type B vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine, Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine, Varicella vaccine, and Polio & Rota virus vaccines.

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Dr Hussein Nasser Matlik, HoD and Consultant Pediatric Neurology Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, said, “Roughly one to two out of ten parents may occasionally forget or delay their child's vaccinations. These instances often occur within families facing social challenges.”

He added, “However, it’s important to note that vaccination delays are generally not acceptable. While some families may cite their child's illness as a reason for postponement, this shouldn't be used as an excuse. Vaccinations should ideally proceed as scheduled, with delays of no more than two to three days unless there’s no acute illness.”

Parents are advised that through routine visits to paediatrician, they should discuss how to get the remaining vaccines through catch-up schedule and also discuss the need for optional but recommended vaccines.

Dr Sandeep Panikkasseri Dasan, Specialist Paediatrics, Aster Clinic, Muhaisnah said, “Two out of ten parents tend to forget their children’s routine vaccination. The prevalence of zero-dose vaccination was 14 per cent globally and seven per cent in the Middle East during the pandemic as per UNICEF data. Most parents were unaware that missed vaccines could be taken later through what is called a ‘catchup’ schedule.”

In addition to routine immunisation, recommended the optional vaccines are influenza, typhoid, hepatitis A, and meningococcal.

Immunisation before Umrah, Eid travel

Dr Osama Elsayed Rezk Elassy, clinical assistant professor, consultant, and head of the division, Centre for Paediatrics and Neonatology, Thumbay University Hospital, said, “As Muslims worldwide prepare for the upcoming Ramadan and subsequently would be performing Umrah, it's crucial to recognise the heightened risk of exposure to contagious diseases, particularly among pilgrims travelling with children or elderly individuals.”

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