In the UAE, citizens and residents have four viable options when it comes to getting the Covid-19 vaccination. Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik V and Oxford-AstraZeneca have all been approved for usage across the country. The vaccines are free of charge and provided on an optional basis, provided recipients do not have an underlying condition that deems the vaccine inadvisable. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children are also excluded from the vaccination drive.
This article will be updated as new information is released.
| Sinopharm | Pfizer-BioNTech | Sputnik V | Oxford-AstraZeneca | |
| Company | Sinopharm CNBG (China) | Pfizer (USA) and BioNTech (Germany) | Gamaleya (Russia) | AstraZeneca and Oxford University (UK) |
| Vaccine Type | Inactivated Virus | mRNA | Inactivated Virus | Adenovirus vector |
| Doses Needed | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Time Between Doses | 21-28 days | 21 days | No data available | 10 weeks |
| Efficacy | 79% | 95% | 91.6% | 62-90%, depending on dosage |
| Side Effects | Mild flu-like symptoms | Sore arm, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, fever, chills, joint pain | No data available | Sore arm, fever, joint pain, chills, fatigue |
Yes, all residents in the UAE are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccines provided they have a valid Emirates ID, are over the age of 18 and do not fall under the categories of those excluded from getting vaccinated (see below). The vaccine is free of cost.
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Sinopharm
The Sinopharm vaccine is available at all clinics that are run by SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services), MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) centers, as well as several private hospitals across the country. MOHAP centers accept walk-ins but appointments are required when planning to visit a SEHA vaccination center or drive-through center. Residents are able to book these appointments through the SEHA app. You may also call 80050 (Abu Dhabi) to book appointments or 800342 (Dubai).
Here’s a full list of where you can get the Sinopharm vaccine across the country.
Pfizer-BioNTech
Citizens and residents in Dubai can book vaccination appointments through the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) app or by calling 800342. A set of questions will be asked to determine your eligibility for the vaccine.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently available at 7 DHA facilities, including:
Oxford-AstraZeneca
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is available to residents from ages 18 to 65 and can be booked based on the category you fall under. For those within the first category, appointments can be booked through the DHA app or by calling 800342. Those in the second category will have appointments scheduled in collaboration with the DHA.
Those who are eligible for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be directed to the One Central Vaccination Center or the DHA Vaccination Field Center depending on the category.
Sputnik V
The Sputnik V vaccine has been approved for emergency use in the UAE.
Generally, vaccines train the immune system to recognize the parts of a virus that causes disease. Here’s how the different types available in the UAE are known to work.
mRNA
mRNA vaccines are known to contain material from the Covid-19 virus and will instruct our cells on how to make a harmless protein that is unique to the virus. Once our cells make copies of the protein, they start to destroy genetic material from the vaccine.
Inactivated virus
With an inactivated virus vaccine, the pathogen is modified or killed in a way that makes it unable to replicate itself. These vaccines can trigger a strong immune response but not as strong as the reactions produced from live attenuated vaccines.
Adenovirus vector
Oxford-AstraZeneca’s adenovirus vector vaccine makes use of a weakened version of the common virus that’s known to cause a cold in chimpanzees. The technology has previously been used to produce vaccines against the flu, Zika virus and Mers. Once the vaccine is administered, it uses the genetic code to produce a surface spike protein of Coronavirus. It will then prompt the immune system to attack Covid-19 if it enters the body.
Before you receive your vaccination, it’s important to provide your doctor with the following information:
Once the vaccine has been administered, you will be asked to wait for 15 to 30 minutes so that medical professionals can observe you for any adverse side effects, such as anaphylactic shock.
Those who are excluded from the vaccination drive include:
If you have recently tested positive for Covid-19, it is recommended that you wait 90 days before getting vaccinated.
No. As the UAE continues to work to vaccinate the population, it’s vital that we continue to practice social distancing while wearing our masks. As each vaccine requires two doses, with 20-28 days in between each, we have to keep in mind that full protection from Covid-19 may not happen immediately after the second dose. Experts believe that it could take 6 months to a year before we are safely able to move around without wearing a mask.
The ministry recommends that both doses of the vaccine should be taken from the same manufacturer to ensure effectiveness. There is currently no data or science to support that getting two doses from different manufactures provides protection.
It is highly recommended that you receive your second dose of the vaccination on schedule in order to guarantee efficacy.
It is normal to experience side effects after any vaccine. Common side effects of Covid-19 vaccines include:
If you are experiencing severe side effects, please visit your nearest healthcare provider.
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