The process of using vaccines is one of the most important interventions that have contributed to improving the public health status of societies, preventing infection with communicable diseases, and reducing morbidity and mortality for all segments of society, as vaccines prevent diseases, save lives, and reduce health care costs, as vaccines are considered one of the most successful health investments.

The Ministry of Health prepared the National Policy for Immunizations and was issued in 2020. It aims to enhance the health of members of the Emirati community by preparing a multisectoral national framework for combating diseases that can be prevented by immunizations in the country. The policy included the following areas:

• Achieving high coverage of immunization at the national level and in all emirates
• Build and strengthen comprehensive surveillance capabilities for vaccine-preventable diseases that are supported by robust and reliable public health laboratory-based systems
• Securing high-quality supply chains and effective vaccine management to facilitate equitable immunization coverage and establishing collaborative relationships with healthcare supply chains
• Ensure the availability of adequately trained health manpower for immunization programs
• Increasing the coverage of immunization services among the population most at risk of not receiving vaccinations
• Strengthening leadership, management and coordination of immunization at all levels - effective national partnerships and networks and international cooperation
• Developing legislation supporting immunizations in the country
• Develop supportive interventions and initiatives to raise awareness of immunizations across the life cycle to protect public health
• Ensure timely and orderly responses to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, vaccines and serums
• Establishing efficient vaccination services in acute emergencies, crises and disasters
• Sufficient and appropriate funding and infrastructure to maintain the sustainability of all vaccine coverage in the country
• Protect access to quality-assured vaccines and ensure functional vaccine safety systems
• Generate immunization data and statistics for evidence-based decision making
• Establishing and strengthening research capacity, establishing systems and managing innovation in the field of various immunizations
• Develop new vaccines and technologies and improve existing products and services for immunization programs