A top UAE health official has dismissed claims circulating online that the flu vaccine can cause the flu, explaining that common side effects may be misinterpreted as the illness itself.
Dr. Faisal Alahbabi, acting executive director of Communicable Diseases Sector at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), clarified in a Khaleej Times report that side effects such as redness at the injection site, muscle aches, and mild fever are normal reactions to the vaccine. “These are considered minor side effects and are not the same as an influenza infection,” the ADPHC said in a booklet issued as part of its annual national influenza campaign.
The flu shot, which will be offered for free to both Emiratis and expatriates in Abu Dhabi, contains non-infectious particles of the virus, Dr. Alahbabi explained. “The vaccine merely alerts the body to the threat of the virus,” he added, emphasizing that immunity develops one to two weeks after vaccination.
Meanwhile, Dr. Walid Abuhammour, head of the Infectious Diseases Department at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, urged parents to keep sick children at home to prevent the virus from spreading. “One sick child can easily transmit the flu to five or six others,” he said.
Dr. Abuhammour also emphasized the importance of vaccinating children and teaching them good hygiene practices. He advised parents to ensure their children get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and wash their hands regularly to reduce the risk of infection.
In addition, he recommended that pregnant women receive the flu vaccine to protect both themselves and their babies.