Flu Vaccines & Eye Check-Ups Recommended for UAE Kids Heading Back to School
As the school year approaches in the UAE, parents are busy preparing their children for the new academic term. Alongside the traditional tasks of purchasing school supplies and uniforms, doctors in the UAE are advising parents to prioritize two additional items on their back-to-school checklist: ensuring their children receive flu vaccinations and scheduling eye check-ups.
According to Dr. Viswasri Vijayaraj, a specialist pediatrician at Aster Clinic-Al Khail, getting a flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu and its potential complications, such as pneumonia. Since flu viruses continually evolve, receiving a yearly flu shot is crucial for maintaining adequate protection. Dr. Vijayaraj emphasizes that all children aged six months and older should receive an annual flu shot to safeguard their health throughout the flu season.
Dr. Pankaj Nandlal Tardeja, the head of the general pediatrics department at NMC Specialty Hospital in Al Ain, highlights how common colds and flu are among the illnesses prevalent among school-age children. With children frequently in close contact with one another, these viruses can spread easily. Symptoms of colds and flu include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, and body aches. Alongside flu vaccinations, Dr. Tardeja advises parents to educate their children about proper hand-washing and respiratory hygiene to minimize the spread of germs. Ensuring children’s vaccinations are up-to-date is another crucial preventive measure against serious and preventable diseases.
In addition to flu vaccinations, Dr. Tardeja provides further advice to parents. He suggests scheduling regular health check-ups for children, encouraging a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables to boost the immune system, ensuring adequate sleep, and promoting hydration by consuming plenty of water, especially in the hot climate of the UAE.
Dr. Julia Sempere Matarredona, a consultant ophthalmologist at Barraquer Eye Hospital Dubai, emphasizes the importance of annual eye check-ups for school-age children, even if they exhibit no symptoms. She underlines the need to proactively monitor children’s eye health, as conditions such as headaches, learning difficulties, and vision impairments can significantly impact their education and overall well-being.
Dr. Matarredona highlights the necessity of annual eye check-ups to rule out refractive defects like myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. Furthermore, she remarks that other ocular conditions, such as allergies and dry eyes, often go unnoticed in children since they may not complain. Drawing parallels with annual dental check-ups, Dr. Matarredona recommends scheduling yearly eye examinations as an essential part of children’s overall healthcare routine.
Dr. Matarredona advises parents to be vigilant for signs that may indicate an eye problem in their children. Warning signs include frequent headaches, difficulty in learning, and vision impairment. By promptly addressing these issues through regular eye check-ups, parents can ensure that their children’s vision is not compromised and that they receive any necessary interventions or treatments.
As the new school year approaches, parents in the UAE are urged to prioritize their children’s health by adding flu vaccines and eye check-ups to their back-to-school checklists. By taking these proactive measures, parents can ensure that their children are fully prepared, healthy, and ready to excel academically and socially.
