SHARJAH // Polio vaccinations for almost 500,000 children have been distributed across the UAE as part of a campaign launched by the Ministry of Health.

Medicine for 470,000 vaccination shots were dispatched to health centres across the Emirates, with 65,000 being sent to Sharjah, said Dr Hussein Abdulrahman, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Healths centres and clinics.

“This vaccination, which is given for one time only, does not replace the original vaccination,” he said.

The campaign is being held in two separate stages, from November 16 to 27 and January 11 to 22. A total of 10,000 children in Sharjah are expected to receive shots in the first stage.

Dr Abdulrahman said that the vaccination, given to children up to the age of five, is free of charge for all residents and also visitors to the UAE.

The World Health Organization recommended the launch of the campaign due to the outbreak of polio in neighbouring countries, Dr Abdulrahman said, adding the last case of polio in UAE was in 1992.

Dr Ibrahim Alqadi, head of preventive medicine section at the ministry of health, said preparation for the campaign started a year ago and that a similar campaign for vaccination against measles might be held next year.

Students aged 4 and 5 years old will be given the vaccination at their schools. Their parents will be provided with health cards so they can keep track of their child’s vaccinations.

tzuriekat@thenational.ae