United Arab Emirates: Travel Vaccines & Health Advice
These are some of the major health risks and vaccinations that you’ll need to consider for a trip to United Arab Emirates.
We stock most required vaccines on-site. You should ideally see us 4-6 weeks before your trip.
Recommended vaccinations:
Highly recommended. Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. You can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in this country, regardless of where you are eating or staying.
Immunisation is the best protection against hepatitis A infection and is recommended for travel to this area. It involves either 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine, or 3 doses of the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines given as a combination.
Safe food and water practices are the basis of prevention, but vaccination is also recommended for travel to this area. Immunity post-vaccination lasts for 2-3 years.
Some travellers may require:
Routine vaccinations
Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip, such as:
- measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
- diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine
- varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
- influenza vaccine
Other health considerations for travellers to United Arab Emirates
Hookworm (Cutanea Larva Migrans)
Hookworm is a parasite that can infect humans in countries with poor sanitation and a warm, moist climate. Hookworm larvae penetrate through intact skin (such as walking with bare feet), and can go on to cause severe gastrointestinal and skin infections.
You should avoid walking barefoot in areas where there may be contaminated soil. In addition, don’t touch soil or sand with your bare hands.
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by a parasite transmitted by sand flies. Roughly 10 million people in the world are currently infected. Its most serious form is known as kala-azar, which is fatal in 95% of cases.
You can reduce your risk of catching leishmaniasis by sleeping under nets treated with insecticide. Other measures include spraying insecticides to kill sandflies.
Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a contagious, sometimes fatal respiratory illness. It’s often spread through close contact with an infected person. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. No vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.
As a general precaution, anyone visiting farms, markets, barns, or other places where dromedary camels and other animals are present should practice general hygiene measures, including hand washing before and after touching animals.
Travellers diarrhoea
Traveller’s diarrhoea affects roughly 20-50% of overseas travellers. It is caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. The bacteria that trigger the illness may appear harmless to the local population, usually because they have developed immunity to them. Symptoms include abdominal bloating, cramps, nausea, fevers and diarrhoea.
Tips to prevent traveller’s diarrhoea:
- Avoid contaminated foods such as raw or peeled vegetables, undercooked meats, unpasteurised dairy products and food from street vendors.
- Avoid drinking or brushing your teeth with tap water
- Buy bottled water to drink
- Boil tap water for at least 5 minutes before drinking it
- Avoid drinks that contain ice
- Avoid using tap water to wash your fruit and vegetables
- Wash your hands and eat at reputable restaurants.
This information is intended as a guide only and is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Recommendations on vaccinations and medications require assessment on an individual basis, taking into account factors such as your medical history, itinerary, length of stay and style of travel.
