Vaccination Schedule in the UAE: A Complete Guide

New parent? Here's a guide to the vaccine schedule in UAE

Posted on

10 October 2017

The world of vaccinations can be pretty confusing, so we want to help you understand the vaccinations in UAE.

When you’re an expat, vaccinations in the UAE can be somewhat overwhelming. Which ones does your child need? How to get them, and when? But there's one thing you should always remember - immunizing your child is very crucial and important for his health on the short and long run.

And if you’re a parent or an expectant parent who lives in the UAE, we can help make your life easier with this guide to immunisations and vaccinations in the UAE according to age:

Here's a guide to the UAE vaccination schedule for parents...

UAE vaccinations at birth

BCG
Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) - first dose

UAE vaccinations at 2 months old

Polio vaccines (IPV/OPV), and Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Tetanus vaccines (Dtap) - 1st dose
Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine (Hib) - 1st dose
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - 1st dose
HBV - 2nd dose

UAE vaccinations at 4 months

IPV/OPV & Dtap - 2nd dose
Hib - 2nd dose
PCV - 2nd dose
HBV - 3rd dose

UAE vaccinations at 6 months

IPV/OPV & Dtap - 3rd dose
Hib - 3rd dose
PCV - 3rd dose
HBV - 4th dose

UAE vaccinations at 12 months

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (German measles) vaccine (MMR) - 1st dose
Chickenpox/Varicella - 1st dose

Booster shots are given at the age of 18 months.

UAE vaccinations between 7-18 years old

Td/ Tdap at age 11-12 years for those who have completed the recommended childhood DTP/DTaP vaccination series.
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) at age 11-12 years and at age 13--18 years if not previously vaccinated. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) is an acceptable alternative.
Hepatitis B 3-dose series to those who were not previously vaccinated.
Varicella 2 doses series if not previously immunized.
The Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine is recommended for girls between the ages of 11 and 16 years old.

Where to get vaccinations in UAE:

Only certified clinics and hospitals in the UAE can give vaccinations, in addition to public hospitals. However, not all expats can be treated in public hospitals.

If you’re considering a specific private clinic or hospital, it is advised to contact them and ask whether they provide immunizations or not.

Are UAE vaccinations covered by health insurance?

Some policies include vaccination coverage, however, most of health insurance plans in the UAE exclude preventative medicine from cover. In that case, vaccination costs would range between AED 800- AED 1.500 for the first set at 8 weeks. Other sets depend on the schedule one is following and the number of vaccinations given at each stage of the schedule.

Another alternative would be opening a file at your nearest local government-run clinic, and you’ll be entitled for free vaccinations for children up to 5 years old.