Doctors say October is the right time for a flu vaccine, and at-home bookings are already running ahead of last year.
Early Bookings Show Strong Flu Vaccine Demand
On 29 October 2026, UAE families are booking the flu vaccine earlier than before. Justlife says its September at-home flu vaccine bookings already topped the total for the same month last year.
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This isn’t a one-off. Justlife’s at-home bookings from October to December 2025 came in about 2.7 times higher than the year before. By the end of October, almost half of that season’s home flu vaccine shots had already been given.
These numbers cover only JustLife’s at-home service. They do not show flu vaccine uptake across the UAE.
When to Get the Flu Vaccine
October is a sensible month for the flu vaccine, doctors say, ideally before influenza begins to spread widely. Dr Bassem Shamseddine, a specialist paediatrician at Mubadala Health Dubai, says protection takes “about two weeks” to build.
Missed the window? Don’t panic. The UAE’s influenza awareness campaign runs from September to March, so a flu vaccine in November or December still counts.
The virus shifts from year to year, and immunity wears off. That’s why doctors advise a fresh flu vaccine annually, for children and adults alike.
Who Needs a Flu Vaccine Most
Not everyone faces the same risk. Children under five (particularly under two), pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and those with chronic conditions are more likely to develop serious problems from the flu. The flu vaccine matters most to them. Doctors point to pneumonia, flare-ups of existing conditions, and hospital stays.
Dr. Mamata Bothra of International Modern Hospital Dubai also names children with asthma, people with heart disease or diabetes, and those with weakened immunity. Healthcare workers and people living with a high-risk person may face more exposure, so a flu vaccine is important for them too.
Dr. Jenna Burton, Justlife’s medical director says the return to school is a timely reminder to plan a flu vaccine. She adds that flu is often mistaken for a common cold.
How the Flu Vaccine Works for Children
Children aged six months to eight years who are having a flu vaccine for the first time may need two doses. The doses should be at least four weeks apart, depending on vaccination history.
There’s also a needle-free option: a nasal-spray flu vaccine. Healthy people aged two to 49 who aren’t pregnant can usually take it, though that depends on which vaccine is approved and available in the UAE.
Pregnant women, people with weakened immunity, and some children with asthma or a history of wheezing may need a different flu vaccine. Your child’s doctor can say which one fits.
Spotting Flu Early and Acting Fast
Flu hits quickly. One day you’re fine, and the next you have a fever, chills, a headache, aching muscles, and no energy. A cold is gentler and slower, usually with a blocked nose, sneezing, and a mild cough. Symptoms can look alike, and some children with flu never get a fever, so keep watching your child even after a flu vaccine is booked.
A flu vaccine helps, but some signs can’t wait. Call a doctor straight away if your child is gasping for breath, has bluish lips, is badly dehydrated, is hard to wake or confused, or has a seizure. Babies under three months with a temperature of 38°C or higher also need to be seen promptly.
People at higher risk, whether or not they’ve had the flu vaccine, shouldn’t wait to call a doctor. Antivirals such as oseltamivir work best in the first 48 hours, Dr. Shamseddine says, though they can still help later in severe cases. His advice: don’t delay when treatment is medically needed.
Book Your Flu Vaccine Before the Season Peaks
Protection takes around two weeks after the flu vaccine, so an October shot gives children and high-risk adults a head start. Have a quick word with your doctor about which flu vaccine suits you, then book it before flu starts going around.
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