Top 5 Vaccines Every Adult Should Get in Dubai

Many people believe that vaccination schedules only apply to children. In reality, adults should also review their immunization records regularly, as immunity to certain infections can weaken over time. Today, vaccination remains one of the most effective methods of disease prevention and an essential part of maintaining overall health.

Dubai is an international metropolis that receives people from all over the world every day. In such a global city, infectious diseases can spread more easily. Many of them are far easier to prevent than to treat, which is why physicians recommend regularly reviewing national immunization schedules and updating vaccines when necessary.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination prevents millions of cases of infectious diseases every year and reduces the risk of severe complications, preventing up to 5 million deaths annually.

Below are five vaccines we recommend adults living in the UAE keep up to date.

1. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccination

Hepatitis refers to viral infections that affect the liver. These diseases may occur in an acute form or develop into chronic conditions that can lead to serious complications.

In Dubai, vaccination against hepatitis A is not mandatory for all restaurant and café employees, which means that the risk of infection through food still exists. For this reason, the vaccine should be considered an important preventive measure.

The hepatitis B vaccine is especially recommended for people who:

may come into contact with blood or biological fluids (doctors, cosmetologists, tattoo and piercing artists)

live with chronic diseases or have weakened immune systems

travel to countries with higher prevalence of the infection (parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America)

Hepatitis vaccines are administered in a multi-dose schedule and provide long-term immunity.

2. Gardasil-9 — Vaccine Against Human Papillomavirus

Gardasil-9 is a modern vaccine that protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted viral infections. Certain strains of the virus can cause cancer.

According to the WHO, nearly 99% of cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV infection. In addition, HPV can cause other types of cancer, including cancers of the oropharynx, anal canal, and genital organs.

The vaccine is recommended for:

adolescents

adults up to 45 years of age

people in high-risk groups

Such prevention significantly reduces the risk of infection and helps protect long-term health.

In many countries, the vaccine is included in national immunization schedules for adolescents, but adult vaccination is also widely practiced.

3. Measles and Rubella Vaccine

Measles remains one of the most contagious viral infections in the world. The virus spreads through airborne transmission and spreads very quickly: if an unvaccinated person comes into contact with someone infected, the probability of infection can reach 90%.

Declining measles vaccination rates in recent years have led to a noticeable increase in cases. In 2024 alone, millions of measles cases were reported worldwide, and the number of deaths caused by the infection reached approximately 95,000.

At the same time, specialists emphasize that vaccination remains one of the most effective preventive measures. Since 2000, measles vaccination has helped prevent more than 58 million deaths globally.

Vaccination is recommended for:

people over 35 years old if they were not vaccinated earlier

women planning pregnancy

people who travel frequently

adults who work with children or interact with large numbers of people

Protection is particularly important for pregnant women, as infection can lead to serious complications and risks for the fetus. The same applies to rubella.

Measles and rubella are usually considered together because vaccination is administered as a combined vaccine — the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella). This combined vaccine protects against several viral infections at once.

4. Meningococcal Vaccines

Meningococcal infection is a serious disease that affects the membranes of the brain.

In 2025, an outbreak of the infection occurred among pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia. As a result, the country’s authorities made meningococcal vaccination a mandatory requirement for entry into Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage.

Meningococcal infection can develop very rapidly and lead to severe consequences, posing a threat not only to children but also to adults. For this reason, the disease requires particular attention, and vaccination is considered the most effective method of protection.

It is important to note that several types of meningococcal vaccines exist. They protect against different serogroups of the bacteria (for example A, C, W, Y, or B). Therefore, the specific vaccine and vaccination schedule are usually determined after consultation with a physician.

Vaccination is especially recommended for people who:

travel frequently between countries

live or work in crowded environments

have weakened immune systems

5. Annual Influenza Vaccination

The influenza virus regularly causes seasonal epidemics. Despite how common the disease is, many people treat it as an ordinary cold and often underestimate its potential consequences.

According to the WHO, around 1 billion influenza cases are recorded worldwide every year. Of these, 3–5 million are severe and require medical care. The number of associated deaths can reach up to 650,000 annually.

It is important to note that the danger of influenza lies not only in the infection itself but also in possible complications. The virus can cause pneumonia, exacerbate cardiovascular diseases, lead to bronchitis, and trigger other serious conditions. The risk of complications is especially high in people with chronic diseases, elderly patients, and pregnant women.

For this reason, doctors recommend annual vaccination. The influenza virus constantly changes, and the composition of the vaccine is updated each season to ensure protection against the most common circulating strains.

It is best to complete vaccination before the end of March so that immunity has time to develop before the peak infection season.

What Other Vaccines Adults May Need

Depending on age, lifestyle, and overall health, additional vaccines may also be recommended.

These may include:

booster vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus (every 10 years)

pneumococcal vaccine

tick-borne encephalitis vaccine

varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

Before vaccination, it is recommended to consult a physician who can determine which vaccines are truly necessary in your particular case.

Olga Polikina, Chief Medical Officer of Kandinsky Clinic, PhD in Medical Sciences, more than 20 years of experience:

“We often encounter the misconception that vaccination is only necessary for children. In reality, immunity weakens over time, and protection against certain infections needs to be renewed.

In international cities such as Dubai, people are constantly interacting with travelers from different countries, which increases the risk of infection spread.

During a consultation, we assess the patient’s vaccination history, the presence of chronic diseases, and individual risk factors. Based on this, we can determine which vaccines should be updated or administered for the first time. This approach helps reduce the risk of complications and protect health for many years.”

Vaccination at Kandinsky Clinic

At Kandinsky Clinic, we provide vaccination services for both adults and children. The clinic offers modern vaccines, including traditional injectable forms as well as modern nasal influenza vaccines — which can be administered without an injection, making them especially convenient for children and people who are sensitive to injections.

If you live in Dubai or travel frequently, it is important to regularly review your vaccination schedule. It is much easier to receive preventive vaccination in advance than to treat the consequences of infectious diseases later. That is why physicians recommend not postponing preventive care if vaccines need to be updated.

If you would like to schedule vaccination in Dubai, you can do so via WhatsApp or by calling Kandinsky Clinic at +971 456 312 00.

Author: Olga Polikina — Chief Medical Officer of Kandinsky Clinic, PhD in Medical Sciences

This material is provided for informational purposes and does not replace a consultation with a physician. Decisions about vaccination should be made together with a medical professional, taking into account individual health conditions.