The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has introduced a second dose of varicella vaccine (to prevent chickenpox) that will be given to school students aged between five to six years old.

The additional dosage is now part of the National Immunisation Programme included in the School Health Vaccination schedule, which is provided free of charge to all school children in the UAE.

The second dose of varicella vaccine will be administered to students in school effective this academic year 2017-2018.

During a workshop Dr Nada Al Marzouqi, director of preventive medicine department and executive manager of Happiness and Positivity said: "The second dose of varicella vaccine will be given to students aged five to six years old in collaboration with the local health authorities to ensure broader protection against diseases and infections."

Dr Hussein Abdel Rahman Rand, assistant undersecretary for health clinics and centres, said that the UAE has achieved its global immunisation targets approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr Laila Al Jasmi, head of immunisation section at the ministry said that for 16-year-old students, the government will switch from the booster dose of diphtheria and tetanus vaccine to include pertussis vaccine (for whooping cough which is a contagious bacterial disease).

The workshop also tackled a range of key topics from ways to effectively deal with side effects and vaccination cold chain system.

Dr Najla Sajwani, head of school health section said that school nurses and coordinators have been regularly trained to update them on the vaccination programme.

"Updates have also been made to consent forms for parents to include information about the new vaccines, raise their awareness, and formally seek their approvals," she said.

After the introduction of the National Immunisation Programme in 1980 the rate of infectious diseases has dropped dramatically in the country. The UAE was declared polio-free in 2004. There has also been a dramatic reduction in the number of measles, mumps, rubella and pertussis cases.

Source: Khaleej Times