Justlife Reports September At-Home Flu Vaccine Bookings Surpassed Last Year’s Total as Doctors Urge Families to Get Vaccinated Before the Virus Spreads Widely.
UAE families have begun booking flu vaccinations ahead of the upcoming season, with September bookings for at-home jabs surpassing the total recorded in the same month last year, according to Justlife.
The company reported that bookings between October and December 2025 were around 2.7 times higher than during the same period in 2024. Nearly half of the at-home flu vaccinations recorded by Justlife last season had been administered by the end of October, rising to almost nine in 10 by the end of December.
Dr Jenna Burton, medical director at Justlife, said the return to school serves as a timely reminder for families to plan their flu vaccinations.
“With children returning to school, this is an important time for families to think ahead about flu vaccination. Flu can often be mistaken for a common cold, but it can come on suddenly with exhaustion, body aches, chills, fever and cough. Understanding the difference and acting early can be particularly important for children and others who are more vulnerable to complications,” she said.
The figures reflect bookings and vaccinations through Justlife’s at-home service and do not represent vaccination rates across the UAE.
“In the UAE, October is a good time to get vaccinated, ideally before influenza begins circulating widely,” said Dr Bassem Shamseddine, specialist paediatrician at Mubadala Health Dubai. He added that it takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination.
However, he stressed that getting vaccinated remains beneficial later in the season as well.
“Children and adults should generally receive the flu vaccine every year because circulating strains change and immunity wanes over time,” Dr Shamseddine said.
Children receiving the vaccine for the first time may require two doses. “Children aged six months to eight years who are receiving influenza vaccination for the first time may need two doses, at least four weeks apart, depending on their vaccination history,” he said.
Dr Mamata Bothra, specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, also urged families to get vaccinated while the seasonal campaign is underway. The UAE’s seasonal influenza awareness campaign runs from September to March, with the vaccine taking approximately two weeks to provide protection.
Children under five, particularly those younger than two, pregnant women, adults aged 65 and above, and people with chronic medical conditions face a higher risk of flu-related complications. These can include “pneumonia, worsening of existing medical conditions, and hospitalisation”, Dr Shamseddine said.
Dr Bothra also identified children with asthma, people with heart disease or diabetes, pregnant women, older adults and those with weakened immune systems as groups requiring extra precautions. Healthcare workers and people living with individuals at higher risk may also face increased exposure.
Flu symptoms typically develop suddenly and can include fever, chills, headaches, body aches and fatigue. In contrast, a common cold generally develops more gradually, often causing a runny or blocked nose, sneezing and a milder cough. However, symptoms can overlap, and children with flu may not always develop a fever.
Dr Bothra advised parents to seek urgent medical attention if their child experiences “high fever, continuous cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, severe dehydration, unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking, or seizures”.
She added that babies younger than three months with a temperature of 38°C or higher require prompt medical assessment.
Dr Shamseddine urged parents to watch for warning signs such as breathing difficulties, bluish lips, severe dehydration, unusual drowsiness, confusion or seizures. Medical attention is also necessary if a child’s condition deteriorates or if a fever or cough improves before returning.
A nasal-spray flu vaccine provides a needle-free alternative for some people. According to Dr Shamseddine, it is generally suitable for healthy, non-pregnant individuals aged between two and 49, depending on the vaccine approved and available in the UAE.
However, it may not be appropriate for pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems or certain children with asthma or a history of wheezing. Parents should consult a healthcare professional to determine which vaccine is suitable for their child.
For those who develop flu symptoms, Dr Bothra recommended that people at higher risk contact a doctor promptly.
“Antiviral medicines such as oseltamivir may shorten illness and reduce complications, particularly in high-risk patients,” she said.
Dr Shamseddine noted that antiviral medicines are most effective when started within the first 48 hours of symptoms, although they may still be beneficial later in severe cases or for people at increased risk.
“Treatment should not be delayed when medically indicated,” he said.
