For the first time without needles.. “Health” provides the influenza vaccine via the “nasal spray”

The Ministry of Health and Community Protection announced the provision of influenza vaccine via “nasal spray” in a number of government and private centers and hospitals, for the first time among the approved vaccination options for the current season, and it comes within the framework of the Ministry of Health’s keenness to expand safe and effective vaccination options for members of society, and to raise vaccine coverage rates, in line with the UAE’s trends in enhancing the prevention of seasonal infectious diseases and reducing their health complications for the most vulnerable groups.

The Ministry stated to “Emirates Today” that the new nasal spray vaccine for influenza was recently registered in the country in accordance with approved regulatory standards. It is an additional developed option based on a different method of administration aimed at enhancing mucosal immunity. The vaccine covers the same strains approved annually as the intramuscular vaccine, but it relies on the technology of live attenuated “weak” virus, and is given without needles, which makes it a suitable option for children and those who fear injections, for the age group from 2 to 49 years of healthy people.

In detail, the Director of the Public Health and Prevention Department at the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi, said that the nasal spray vaccine for influenza is an additional developed option, as it received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first time in 2003 for use in the age group from 5 to 49 years, before the approval was extended in 2007 to include children from 2 to 5 years old, pointing out that it was recently registered in the country, in accordance with approved regulatory standards, and reflects The Ministry is keen to make available its commitment to adopting the latest internationally recognized preventive practices and technologies, in a way that supports the readiness of the national health system to face the influenza season every year.

She explained in exclusive statements to “Emirates Today” that the vaccine covers the same annual strains approved in the intramuscular influenza vaccine, but it relies on the technology of the live attenuated (weak) virus, while the intramuscular vaccine depends on parts of the virus or the entire virus after it has been treated to be inactive, and these multiple options come within the framework of the ministry’s endeavor to provide suitable alternatives for the various target groups, which contributes to strengthening community immunity against influenza.

Regarding the health objectives of providing it, Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi pointed out that the vaccine has several benefits, the most prominent of which is that it is a needle-free option and is given via a nasal spray, which makes it suitable for children and those who fear injections. It also mimics the method of natural infection, which helps in strengthening mucosal and systemic immunity and reducing the transmission of the virus between people. She stressed that the main goal of making it available is to support prevention and reduce health complications associated with influenza, which contributes to enhancing the quality of life in the country.

She explained that the vaccine is intended for healthy people from two to 49 years of age in accordance with approved clinical controls, with the need to consult a doctor to determine the most appropriate option for each person.

It identified 6 categories and cases that are prohibited from being given this vaccine, which include “children under two years old, adults aged 50 years and over, pregnant women, people with immune diseases, some people with certain chronic diseases, and close contact with people who suffer from severe immunodeficiency,” explaining that in these cases it is preferable to rely on the intramuscular vaccine or other options decided by the doctor, stressing that the choice of the type of vaccine is always made to ensure the highest levels of safety and effectiveness for each category, in accordance with national and international guidelines and regulations.

The Ministry explained that the nasal spray is currently available in some government and private centers and hospitals, and the Ministry of Health and Community Protection is working in cooperation with health authorities and strategic partners to ensure the availability of various vaccination options in private health facilities, which supports easy access to the service and enhances the demand for preventive vaccination against influenza.

She confirmed that the vaccine is registered in the country and is subject to pharmaceutical oversight by the relevant authorities. It is also approved and licensed by several international bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

She explained that side effects are monitored in the country and the effectiveness of the vaccine is studied through the Pharmacovigilance Program within an integrated system to monitor the safety and quality of medicines and vaccines, stressing its commitment to the highest standards of safety and effectiveness for all available vaccines, and to continuously work to update its policies in accordance with scientific developments and international recommendations, in order to preserve the health and safety of members of society.