What Is The UAE Draft Law That Proposes Stricter Penalties For Vaccine Neglect?

The UAE Draft Law, which combats communicable diseases, has been approved by the Federal National Council. It proposes tougher penalties, which include prison time and even a fine of up to AED1,00,000 if the violations are related to the spread and reporting of infectious diseases. Here’s all you need to know about the new UAE Draft Law, which proposes stricter penalties for vaccine neglect.

UAE Draft Law Proposes Stricter Penalty For Vaccine Neglect

As revealed in a report of the Gulf News, anyone who knowingly transmits a contagious disease to another person can face up to four years in prison. Not to mention, there is also a fine ranging from AED50,000 to AED100,000. This penalty can also rise to life imprisonment if the infection results in the death of the victim. Additionally, this law also needs the healthcare professionals to promptly report any suspected or confirmed cases of infectious diseases. This was also mentioned in the same report, which quoted Al Khaleej, an Arabic daily.

What Are These Proposed Fines?

As further mentioned in the same report of the Gulf News, doctors, pharmacists, health practitioners, and pharmacy technicians who failed to notify relevant authorities within eight hours of discovering or suspecting an infection can also face a fine between AED30,000 to AED100,000. Not to mention, there are lower penalties stipulated for delay in reporting in some categories of infectious diseases. Health professionals who fail to report the cases that are listed under Schedule B of Schedule (1) within 24 hours or those that come under Section C within five working days can face up to AED10,000.

Also Read: UAE Residents Can Visit Dubai Miracle Garden For Free For A Limited Time This March

Law Also Extends To Parents & Guardians

Not only this, but whether it’s parents or guardians, the legislation also addresses vaccination compliance. So, those who neglect to provide their children with immunisation can face a fine ranging from AED5,000 to AED20,000. Not only this, individuals who are diagnosed or suspected of having a certain communicable disease, travel or move out of the health facility without approval from relevant authorities, or fail to follow preventive measures can be fined AED20,000 to AED100,000.

So, with the new proposed law aiming to strengthen the UAE’s public health framework, the aim is to improve the disease monitoring system. This also aims to be done while enforcing preventive measures for protecting the community.

Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/ elijah.lovkoff’s Images (Cover image is for representative purposes only)