UAE school illness rules: fever and return-to-class thresholds
By Catherine Smith GST 3 min read
Schools across the UAE have reminded parents of illness rules requiring children with fever, vomiting or diarrhoea to stay home until they are well enough to return, as the 2026–27 academic year gets under way. A circular issued by one Dubai school sets a specific threshold: children must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before coming back to class, and those who have had vomiting or diarrhoea must wait 48 hours after symptoms subside.
Which symptoms require a child to stay home
The Dubai circular lists the conditions that should keep a child at home: a fever above 37.5°C, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, a runny or blocked nose, body aches, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis or a rash. Parents were also advised to consult a paediatrician if needed.
Schools said their health and safety practices are aligned with guidance from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the two bodies that regulate health standards and private schools in Dubai respectively.
At Woodlem British School in Ajman, principal Natalia Svetenok said the message to families is kept straightforward. ‘We always remind families of one simple thing: a child learns best when they are well. If a student has a fever, flu-like symptoms, vomiting or diarrhoea, staying home is the right choice until they have recovered and are ready to return safely. Medical certificates may be needed in certain infectious-disease cases, but not for every minor illness.’
Svetenok added that in-school measures continue alongside the stay-home guidance. ‘In school, we continue to focus on clean classrooms, good ventilation, regular sanitisation and strong hygiene routines. What matters most is communication. When parents and schools work together early, we protect the wellbeing of every child and keep learning moving forward.’
UAE school illness rules intersect with vaccination requirements
Beyond daily illness management, schools are also running vaccination programmes as part of broader student health routines. The DHA has published a vaccination guideline for schools advising parents to keep records accurate and up to date, to communicate with the school medical team if their child has recently been vaccinated or if there are health changes affecting vaccination status, and to submit a copy of the updated vaccination booklet to the school.
At Sharjah Indian School, the vaccination drive begins months before the academic year opens. Principal Pramod Mahajan said families are asked to provide proof of vaccination so the school can identify any gaps. ‘Our vaccination drive begins in April itself. We ask parents to provide proof of their children’s vaccination. If we observe any gaps, we suggest that the child can be vaccinated at the school during the school’s vaccination drive. But the parents must give their consent.’
The programme runs from kindergarten through senior grades, with the type of vaccine varying by age. Mahajan said the school provides families with a proforma showing the relevant dates. ‘The vaccination drive is held for students from KG all the way to senior grades. It’s just that the nature of the vaccination is different.’ He added: ‘In September-October, for example, we will have the vaccination for influenza. The vaccination drive is held six times a year.’
Parents in Dubai can book children’s immunisation appointments through the Dubai Health website, its smart app, or by calling the 24/7 customer experience line at 800 60.
The DHA’s clinical immunisation guidelines were updated in October 2024 (reference CIR-2024-00000187), and the vaccination guideline document for schools remains in effect for the current academic year.
