Expatriates will have to pay a nominal service charge of up to Dh20.

Get your flu shots without any further delay, urged officials of the Ministry of health and Prevention, that launched the National Seasonal Flu Awareness campaign on Sunday.

The campaign under the tagline ' Get the vaccine, not the flu', was held in collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Health Authority in order to raise awareness about the complications related to seasonal influenza.

The flu vaccine shots are available free of cost for Emiratis and high risk individuals such as children under five, the elderly, healthcare workers and pregnant women and those with chronic diseases.

Officials of the Ministry of Health and Prevention during the press conference on Sunday. Photo by Juidin Bernarrd/Khaleej Times

Stressing the importance of the flu vaccine, Dr Badreyya Al Harmi, director of public health protection department at DHA, said: "The seasonal flu can differ in intensity depending on the immunity levels of the infected people so in order to prevent any complications people should not delay in getting the vaccine shots which can be given to all ages starting from the age of six months.

"Although the vaccine is free, expatriates will have to pay a nominal service charge of up to Dh20 or so," she added.

saman@khaleejtimes.com