Schools in Dubai are going to partner with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) this month in carrying out a mass measles vaccination of all students in primary schools. According to the National Measles Campaign, free campus vaccinations will be given for one to seven-year-old children, who will take the MMR vaccine. This is mandatory for all of them except those having medical contraindications established through proof.
The Knowledge and Development Authority has mentioned that in the latest guidance issued by the education regulator of the emirate, it is recommended that every child should be administered with the recommended schedule of two MMR doses. Normally, the first vaccine is administered at 12 months, and a follow-up is administered after a year at 18 months, but now, because of the latest requirement, additional booster doses are included in the immunization schedules.
To make the campaign accessible, school nurses are being specially trained to administer vaccines in the designated Vaccine Qualified Clinics (VQC) in schools. Leaders at all levels in Dubai have been urging parents to bring their children for vaccinations through both school sites and DHA primary healthcare centers.
Amity School Dubai principal, Sangita Chima has said that it has tied up with DHA so that the school can participate in the initiative effectively where the staff is being oriented in October itself. As per guidelines from WHO, the whole campaign tries to improve health in society.
Schools are also engaging with parents and taking up the issues. Consent forms are being distributed, and schools are receiving a good response from parents. Sheela Menon, principal of Ambassador School, said that the campaign will continue with the support of DHA so that parents are aware of their children’s vaccination schedule.
