UAE marks 30 years of polio-free status through vaccination initiatives

The UAE has maintained its polio-free status for more than 30 years through a combination of domestic regulatory oversight and international funding for vaccination campaigns, according to the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE). The announcement was made on Friday, 23 October, ahead of World Polio Day observed annually on October 24. Domestic Regulatory Oversight Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the EDE, stated that the organization is currently focusing on strengthening pharmacovigilance and regulatory standards to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical products. These internal controls are credited with keeping the UAE free of the virus for over three decades while maintaining public confidence in routine immunization schedules. The EDE continues to monitor the pharmaceutical supply chain and vaccine distribution networks to align with international health innovations and emerging technologies. This domestic stability serves as the foundation for the UAE’s broader humanitarian outreach in regions where the virus remains endemic. Global Polio Eradication Efforts The UAE’s contribution to global health is primarily directed through the 'Reaching the Last Mile' initiative, a program supported by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This initiative funds international health partnerships and logistical support to deliver vaccines to children in high-risk zones and remote areas. Global health organizations use World Polio Day to coordinate…