DUBAI - Regional vaccination campaigns against the H1N1 flu virus kicked off on Saturday, as leaders and senior officials in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain lined up for the first shots authorities hope will limit infection during the upcoming Haj pilgrimage.

In Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s campaign was launched when General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received the country’s first vaccination.

“The world is facing a real challenge with the emergence of H1N1 virus,” Gen. Shaikh Mohammed said. “There is a dire need to take stern preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease, not only in the regional levels but at the international levels, and to be prepared for the worst.”

Saudi Arabia began its vaccination programme with priority going to government employees working on the Haj that takes place later this month.

Health ministry officials were the first to receive inoculations.

It said the vaccine has also been distributed to all government bodies involved in the Haj, which sees some three million pilgrims descending on the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

In Manama, health officials led by the Minister of Health, lawmakers and Bahraini leaders were the first to take the optional free shot that will eventually cover the whole nation. — With inputs from agencies

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