Second phase of the National Polio Campaign extended

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 25, 2015: The second phase of the  National Polio Campaign has been extended until 29th of January, 2015, said a top health official.

Dr Manal Taryam, CEO of primary health care at the DHA advised parents of  all children below the age of five years, to either visit DHA health centres or get the second dose of the vaccine administered via registered school clinics.

The national campaign, which is organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Health Authority Abu Dhabi(HAAD) aims to target 416,000 children within the age group.

The first phase of the campaign took place from November 16 to 27, while the second phase was initially from 11 to 22nd of January and was later extended extended until 29th January to ensure maximum number of children under five years of age receive the vaccination.

Polio is an infectious disease that affects young children. It causes life-long paralysis or death and is not curable. The only way to prevent a child from getting polio is through vaccination. There are no reported cases of polio in the UAE.

Dr Manal Taryam, CEO of Primary Healthcare at the DHA highlighted the importance of the UAE-wide National Polio Campaign that provides free polio vaccines to children under the age of five years. She said: “The second phase of the vaccine is vital to ensure the child receives maximum protection against the disease.

Parents are requested to bring their children’s  polio vaccination card when they visit the health centres. Moreover, those children that missed the first dose of the vaccine can also take the second dose, either through the school clinics or through any of DHA’s primary healthcare centres. The aim of the extension is to ensure we reach out to maximum number of children below the age of five years.”

Taryam said: “In 2013 and 2014, some nearby countries that were polio free have reported new cases of polio. To ensure the disease is not imported into the country and to strengthen the immunity of children in the UAE against polio, it is important to conduct the campaign and vaccinate all children under the age of five years.”

Dr Fatma Al Olama, head of school health, primary healthcare sector at the DHA urged parents to bring their children to get the polio vaccination to further protect children from developing the disease. She said: “All 14 primary healthcare centres and Hatta hospital’s childcare clinic are providing the vaccine so parents can go to the closest health centre to vaccinate their children. The vaccine is given in the form of oral droplets and is proven to be safe and effective according to the World Health Organization.”

She added: “This campaign is open to all and is free-of-charge. No medical insurance or health card is necessary. It doesn’t matter if your child is a visitor, citizen or resident.”

For more information on the campaign and the included centres call the ministry’s toll-free number 800-11111 or visit their website.