Grade 8 pupils in the UAE are due to receive their first HPV vaccine dose on 27 October, but schools say students must have parental consent and meet medical eligibility requirements.
Schools in the United Arab Emirates have begun telling parents that the first dose of the human papillomavirus vaccine will be given to Grade 8 pupils on Tuesday, 27 October, as part of the national immunisation programme.
According to the notices seen by Emarat Al Youm, the vaccine will only be given to students whose consent forms have been completed and whose school health records are fully up to date. Administrations said parents must have returned the forms sent at the start of the school year, together with the required documents and medical information, so school nurses can review each child’s health history before the jab is administered.
The schools set out three main medical conditions that must be met before vaccination. A pupil should not have received any other vaccine in the previous month, should not be ill on the day of vaccination and should not be taking antibiotics. If a child has a chronic condition, the schools said a recent report from the treating doctor is needed so that medical clearance can be obtained before the dose is given.
Parents were also told to alert the school nurse in advance about any known allergies, health condition or treatment their child is receiving. The schools stressed that administrative consent alone is not enough if the student does not meet the health requirements for vaccination.
Families were advised to watch children closely after the injection and to look out for any changes in their condition. If needed, paracetamol may be given to ease pain or fever, in line with medical advice and an appropriate dose for the pupil.
The schools also said any allergic reaction should be dealt with immediately and reported to the school nurse, so the case can be recorded and the necessary health steps taken. The early notice to families is intended to help schools organise the campaign, check approvals and health files in advance, and avoid vaccinating any student whose information is incomplete or whose condition needs review by a doctor.
Parents were urged to check their children’s medical files, return the consent forms and required reports before Tuesday, and contact the school clinic if they have any questions or if the child’s health has changed. The aim, school administrations said, is to make sure each decision is made according to the student’s condition and within the approved health guidelines.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
