The UAE has halted the COVID-19 status update feature on the Al Hosn app, pivoting to focus on a more comprehensive vaccination record system for children.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) revealed the revamped version of the app on Wednesday, stating that it will soon become mandatory for recording vaccination details in schools.
The app, initially developed as a tool to aid in the control of the COVID-19 pandemic by documenting residents’ COVID statuses, will now exclusively facilitate access to detailed vaccination records for children up to 18 years of age.
According to Dr. Hussain Al Rand, the Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at MoHAP, this adjustment follows the health officials’ stance that COVID-19 is no longer deemed a public health threat, despite ongoing global reports of variant cases.
He emphasized that the current health infrastructure is sufficiently equipped to handle existing COVID cases, with treatment limited to those exhibiting severe symptoms.
Dr. Al Rand further affirmed the Al Hosn app’s impending role in replacing traditional children’s vaccination booklets, articulating a strategy under the directive of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council.
The Al Hosn app is integrated with MoHAP’s Riayati platform, forming the cornerstone of the UAE’s National Digital Health app, a vital part of the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR).
As explained by Dr. Nada Al Marzooqi, director of Public Health and Prevention at MoHAP, the current update encompasses only those children recorded with health establishments in the Northern Emirates.
Yet, the officials anticipate the inclusion of broader age demographics and a more geographically expansive database in the app’s future iterations.
A prominent feature of the app is the notification system that alerts families to upcoming vaccination schedules, coupled with informative messages underscoring the importance of timely immunizations.
The next development phase pledges integration of immunization certificates from all emirates, enabling residents to readily access various vaccination documents and potentially linking with World Health Organization (WHO)-recognized apps for streamlined international travel requirements.