Planning to travel internationally from the UAE? Ensure you're prepared beyond booking flights and packing.
Understand potential health risks at your destination and take precautions. Vaccinations may be necessary as international travel increases disease exposure. Utilize the travelers' vaccination service for medical consultation and recommended vaccines based on CDC and WHO guidelines. Stay informed to protect your health abroad.
What vaccinations do you need?
Almost all public health centers, clinics, and private hospitals in the UAE offer travelers' vaccines. Schedule your consultation at least 4-6 weeks before departure, as some vaccines require time to build immunity. Vaccine recommendations vary based on destination, travel duration, activities, and personal health. Here's a general overview:
Hepatitis A & B: Protects against liver inflammation caused by contaminated food or water.
Typhoid fever: A bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water or food.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): Safeguards against muscle spasms and respiratory distress, respectively.
Rabies: A fatal viral infection transmitted through animal bites. Considered high-risk in some regions.
Meningococcal Meningitis: Bacterial meningitis affecting the brain and spinal cord. Certain strains are prevalent in specific countries.
Vaccinations based on destination & activities:
Malaria: Mosquito-borne parasitic infection endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. Medication or vaccination options are available.
Japanese Encephalitis: Viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes in Southeast Asia. Vaccination is recommended for travel during monsoon season.
Yellow Fever: Mosquito-borne viral illness prevalent in parts of Africa and South America. Vaccination required for entry to some countries.
Haemorrhagic Fever Viruses: These can include Dengue Fever, Zika Virus, and Ebola Virus. Vaccination options vary depending on the specific virus and region.
Besides the above mentioned, CDC also lists more possible vaccines that you may need to get for the first time or boosters before you travel:
- Covid-19
- Chickenpox
- Cholera
- Flu (Influenza)
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Pneumococcal
- Polio
- Shingles
It is mandatory to take all required doses of vaccination, especially influenza, and to follow all instructions and precautions before UAE pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and Haj rituals. The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention has confirmed that it will be required to present influenza vaccination cards for travellers to Saudi Arabia.
Consult a family medicine doctor to seek advice if you are:
- Pregnant, planning to be pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an immune deficiency disease
- Have any type of allergy
- You may also need a prescription to prevent you from contracting Malaria
Conditions & requirements
- Vaccines should not be administered to any patient who has previously experienced an allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine
- A medical certificate is required for people with immune deficiencies and cancer patients who are undergoing treatment
- Vaccines should not be administered to patients with moderate to severe health conditions at the time of vaccination
- In case of travelling children, ensure that all vaccinations are administered according to the National Immunisation Programme based on the doses specified for the stage of childhood development
- UAE nationals and residents must pay for the first-time issuance of an International Immunisation Card, as well as a replacement fee in case of card loss
- Immunisation for the purpose of travel is free of charge for UAE nationals regardless of whether or not they hold an EHS Health Card
- UAE residents in the country who hold a valid EHS Health Card are exempt from doctor consultation fees
- UAE residents are not exempt from vaccination fees, regardless of whether or not they hold a valid EHS Health Card
Service fees
Through Emirates Health Services (EHS) First International Immunisation Card/Replacement of lost or damaged card: Dh20
- Yellow Fever vaccination: Dh120
- Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccination: Dh75
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccination: Dh100
- Hepatitis B vaccination (3 doses): Dh50 per dose
- Hepatitis A vaccination (2 doses): Dh150 per dose
- Typhoid vaccination: Dh50
- Measles, mumps & rubella (MMR) vaccination: Dh50
- Tetanus & diphtheria vaccination (TD): Dh40
- Poliomyelitis vaccination: Dh50
- Smallpox vaccination (2 doses): Dh250 per dose
- Seasonal influenza vaccination: Dh50
- Rabies vaccination (3 doses): Dh300 per dose
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination: Dh75
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination: Dh150
- Tuberculosis vaccination (BCG): Dh75
Vaccination is free at all health centres under Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha). However, consultations with doctors are chargeable and will depend on individual insurance coverage.
In Dubai, a fee of Dh150 will be charged for an online consultation through the Dubai Health app. During the consultation, the doctor will guide you to the nearest clinic and prescribe the necessary vaccination, the cost of which varies.
Service process
- Book an appointment for consultation
- Residents can visit the service centre for registration
- Payment of fees for first-time international vaccination card holders, or those who wish to be issued with a replacement, as well as payment of a consultation fee
- Customer will advise the doctor of his/her current health condition, medical history, previous vaccinations and the destination to which he/she is travelling
- Based on the results of the medical examination, the doctor will provide advice and guidance, answer all questions regarding the patient's condition and recommend the appropriate vaccination
- Payment of fees according to the type of vaccination recommended
- The vaccination should be provided according to the doctor's recommendation and the international vaccination card should be updated accordingly
Required documents
- Emirates National ID
- Health insurance
- Health card issued by Emirates health services for residents residing in the UAE exempting them from paying consultation fees
News Source: Khaleej Times
