- Under the Theme “Protect Yourself… Protect Your Community”.
- E. Al Sayegh: The UAE places the protection of community health at the forefront of national priorities.
- E. Dr. Alawi AlSheikh-Ali: Strengthening a culture of prevention is a strategic investment in community health.
- E. Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi: We work alongside our partner to build a leading healthcare ecosystem that focuses on people before illness
- E. Dr. Abdulaziz Al Mheiri: Making preventive practices part of everyday life is essential.
- E. Dr. Amer Sharif: Turning awareness into action to curb respiratory diseases and influenza.
Dubai, UAE: The Ministry of Health and Prevention announced the launch of the 2026–2027 Awareness Campaign on Influenza and Seasonal Respiratory Diseases, under the theme “Protect Yourself… Protect Your Community.” The campaign is being implemented in collaboration with Emirates Health Services, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Health, and Sharjah Health Authority, as part of a national partnership aimed at integrating efforts to protect public health.
This season marks a significant expansion in the scope of the campaign to cover respiratory diseases alongside seasonal influenza and measures to prevent both, with a focus on protecting groups most vulnerable to complications, promoting individual and community responsibility towards communicable diseases, and reinforcing health awareness in a way that contributes to sustaining a safe and prevention-focused community.
Raising Awareness and Strengthening Prevention
The campaign aims to enhance awareness of risk factors, modes of transmission and preventive measures, while encouraging members of the community to take proactive preventive measures through awareness content delivered by health authorities via the media, digital platforms, healthcare facilities and community activities.
His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, affirmed that the UAE places the protection of community health at the forefront of national priorities through policies centered on prevention, raising awareness and embedding practices that promote human health. He noted that advancing public health is a national responsibility in which the roles of all health authorities, institutions and individuals are integrated, helping broaden the impact of ongoing efforts and enhance the health sector’s capacity to respond proactively to communicable diseases and protect the community against their complications.
His Excellency added: “The launch of this campaign reflects the UAE’s direction and the vision of its wise leadership in preventive health, while reinforcing an integrated approach that expands the impact of awareness in improving health behaviors. This contributes to reducing challenges and supports the objectives the Ministry seeks to achieve through the development of the National Public Health Strategy to enhance quality of life. Embedding a positive health culture across society also supports the development of a more resilient and efficient health system, in line with the UAE’s aspirations for a brighter future.
Prevention as a Cornerstone of Community Health
H.E. Dr. Alawi AlSheikh-Ali, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, underscored the importance of the Awareness Campaign on Influenza and Seasonal Respiratory Diseases, describing it as a model of integrated health efforts across the UAE and a reflection of the impact of joint action in strengthening prevention and enhancing community readiness to address seasonal respiratory diseases.
His Excellency said: “In Dubai, we are working to embed prevention as a core pillar of community health by raising awareness, encouraging individuals to adopt preventive behaviors, and expanding outreach to groups most vulnerable to complications. These efforts contribute to reducing the risks associated with respiratory diseases and enhancing the health and safety of the community. In collaboration with our partners, we also continue to support initiatives that translate health awareness into sustainable daily practices and contribute to building a healthier and happier society.”
Easy Access to Vaccination
His Excellency Dr Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director General of ADPHC, said: “We continue to work alongside our partner to build a leading healthcare ecosystem that focuses on people before illness and prioritizes prevention over treatment. The National Awareness Campaign on Influenza and Seasonal Respiratory Diseases reflects this approach by reinforcing vaccination as a key pillar of prevention and protecting community health. We remain committed to embracing innovation to make it easier for people to access vaccines and support continued uptake each season, helping reduce the risk of seasonal respiratory diseases and their complications and contributing to a building a healthier community.”
Strengthening Health System Readiness
His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, said that the campaign exemplifies the coordinated efforts of health authorities across the UAE. He commended the leading role of the Ministry of Health and Prevention in spearheading the campaign each year and supporting national efforts to protect community health.
His Excellency added: “The campaign plays an important role in raising awareness of preventive measures, particularly among those most vulnerable. It also contributes to health system readiness. At Dubai Health, we remain committed to these efforts in line with our ‘Patient First’ promise, to advance health for humanity.”
Importance of Vaccinations
H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Saeed Al Mheiri, Chairman of Sharjah Health Authority, affirmed that the Authority’s participation in the Awareness Campaign on Influenza and Seasonal Respiratory Diseases reflects its commitment to community health and to supporting national efforts aimed at strengthening prevention by providing reliable health information and raising awareness of the importance of vaccinations and preventive practices.
His Excellency said: “At Sharjah Health Authority, we are committed to ensuring that health awareness is closely aligned with the needs of community members and contributes to strengthening their understanding of preventive measures and enabling them to make informed decisions to protect their health and the health of their families. This campaign provides an opportunity to emphasize the importance of receiving recommended vaccinations and to raise awareness of everyday practices that help reduce the transmission of infections, with particular attention to groups most vulnerable to complications. We also affirm that preventing influenza and seasonal respiratory diseases is a shared responsibility, and that each individual’s adherence to health guidelines contributes to protecting the wider community. Through our collaboration with our partners, we work to deliver the campaign’s messages to all segments of society and encourage them to make preventive practices part of their daily lives.”
Community Protection
Dr. Essam Al Zarooni, Executive Director of the Clinical Services Sector at the Emirates Health Services, affirmed that Integrating efforts and building partnerships among health authorities, key sectors, and institutions is a critical pillar in protecting the community against influenza and seasonal respiratory illnesses. Aligning awareness messaging and expanding its reach enhances public understanding, encourages vaccine uptake, and promotes healthy preventive practices.
He explained that (EHS) continues to enhance the readiness of its healthcare system and integrate its preventive and curative services to address seasonal respiratory illnesses, supporting a rapid response to healthcare needs and reducing the risks of complications and the associated health burden. He stressed that achieving a sustainable impact in prevention requires concerted national efforts and active engagement from various partners and community members, thereby strengthening the community’s ability to address seasonal illnesses and supporting the health, safety, and quality of life of its members.
Integrated Efforts and Partnerships
During the new season, the partnership among health authorities will be centered on integrating national efforts to strengthen health awareness and improve access to vaccination for all groups, particularly priority groups, alongside leveraging data and performance indicators to measure the campaign’s impact and further develop its content throughout the season.
Prevention as a Daily Practice and Shared Responsibility
The campaign targets citizens and residents, with a focus on older adults, children under five, pregnant women, people living with chronic diseases, immunocompromised individuals and healthcare professionals.
The campaign underscores the importance of regular handwashing, proper cough etiquette, good ventilation in indoor spaces, wearing a face mask when needed, and receiving recommended vaccinations in line with approved health guidance. Together, these measures strengthen everyone’s responsibility towards protecting public health.
