UAE Expert claims that Covid-19, flu, RSV vaccines safeguard against ‘tripledemic’

•  Dr. Nawal Al Kaabi, emphasizes the importance of vaccination programs.
• WHO has classified JN.1, a newly identified Covid-19 variant, as a “variant of interest.” 
• WHO emphasizes that existing vaccines are effective in protecting against severe illness.

As winter arrives, the potential threat of a tripledemic—simultaneous outbreaks of COVID-19, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—becomes more pronounced. A tripledemic typically involves a surge in cases of these respiratory illnesses, particularly during the winter season.

Dr. Nawal Al Kaabi is a prominent figure in the UAE. He recently responded to COVID-19, and vaccination programs serve as a highly effective means of safeguarding against these viruses. The aim is to not only slow down the spread of the diseases but also prevent severe cases.

Dr. Al Kaabi emphasizes that protection against the tripledemic should be a year-round effort rather than just a seasonal response. It highlights the ongoing importance of vaccination to ensure continuous defense against these respiratory infections.

“When it comes to healthcare, there is always more to be done. The threat of the three infections constituting the pandemic is ever present and safeguarding public health against emerging variants is a continuous year-round process. To date, several Covid-19 variants have been declared variants of concern by the World Health Organisation (and national public health agencies) as they exhibit substantially altered immune escape, warranting close monitoring,” said Dr Al Kaabi, senior consultant at Hayat Biotech – UAE’s biotechnology leader and a joint venture between G42 and Sinopharm.

“As new variants continue to emerge, the tripledemic calls for constant vigilance on our part. I urge healthcare organizations across the world to maintain continuous monitoring and have in place set protocols to equip themselves against the potential seasonal surge,” noted Dr. Al Kaabi, who was the UAE’s principal investigator of the phase 3 clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized JN.1, a newly identified Covid-19 variant, as a “variant of interest.” However, the organization has assured that this variant doesn’t pose a significant threat to public health. The WHO highlighted that existing vaccines are effective in protecting against severe illness.

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