Adult vaccination and healthy aging in the UAE: Uptake, determinants, and policy perspectives

Background: Adult vaccination is a critical component of preventive healthcare, reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. Despite established recommendations, adult immunisation coverage remains suboptimal, particularly for vaccines beyond influenza and COVID-19. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), limited evidence exists regarding adult vaccine uptake and determinants influencing immunisation behaviour within its diverse population. Understanding vaccine-specific coverage and associated sociodemographic, healthcare, and workplace factors is essential to guide targeted strategies that strengthen adult immunisation.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,344 adults aged ≥18 years residing in the UAE. Data were collected using a structured self- or interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing uptake of recommended adult vaccines, including COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal, herpes zoster, Tdap, and HPV. Sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare access, insurance status, workplace factors, and perceived barriers were also assessed. Descriptive statistics summarised vaccination coverage, and associations between uptake and key determinants were examined using SPSS version 30. Statistical significance was set. (p≤0.050)

Results: Overall, 71.0% reported receiving at least one adult vaccine. Uptake was highest for COVID-19 (64.9%) and influenza (57.8%), while pneumococcal, herpes zoster, and Tdap coverage remained low (12–13%). HPV uptake was 22.6% among females and 18.9% among males. Higher uptake was observed among females and adults. Social encouragement, insurance coverage, and healthcare access were associated with vaccination, whereas lack of awareness and logistical barriers hindered uptake.

Conclusion: Although overall uptake was moderate, significant gaps persist. Integrating vaccination into routine and addressing structural and communication barriers are necessary to improve coverage.

Dr. Jayakumary Muttappallymyalil holds an MBBS (1993), MD in Community Medicine (1998) from Bangalore University, and a Ph.D. in Community Medicine with a focus on Infectious Diseases (2017) from the University of Kerala, India. She served as faculty at the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Kannur, Kerala, before joining Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE, in 2009, where she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate programs including MPH and MDS. Her research interests span determinants of health, non-communicable and infectious diseases, and environmental influences on health. She has 170 publications, over 100 conference presentations, and has received 29 research and scholarly awards, nine international scholarships, and seven travel grants. Notable honors include the Sri Kallu Ram Memorial Young Scientist Award (2005) and the Sri R N Roy Award for Best Paper in the Indian Journal of Public Health (2003). She has secured research grants from Harvard University, the Emirates Foundation, and UAE Tobacco Collaborative Research, among others. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Arizona, USA.