UAE vaccination campaign: how to book an appointment as health officials extend inoculation drive

The Ministry of Health and Prevention is calling on all members of the public to be vaccinated

The UAE is expanding efforts to inoculate all residents against Covid-19 by urging people still waiting for the vaccine to book appointments immediately.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention opened additional appointment slots for all residents across the Emirates.

In Dubai, any resident over the age of 16 can now schedule their first or second dose of the vaccine at one of the participating Ministry of Health centres in the city.

Vaccination centres operated by the Dubai Health Authority are still accepting appointments on a priority basis. Slots are only available for the elderly, frontline workers, people with chronic illnesses and over-40s.

In the capital, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) is administering first and second doses of the vaccine to all residents over the age of 16, at a number of tents and centres throughout the city.

وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع تحث جميع المؤهلين في دولة الإمارات على المبادرة بحجز مواعيد للتطعيم بدءاً من اليوم، وذلك بعد أن انتهت الفترة المخصصة لإعطاء الأولوية لتطعيم الفئات الأكثر عرضة للإصابة بمضاعفات الفيروس. @mohapuae pic.twitter.com/9ZVt2DUrHh

— UAEGOV (@uaegov) March 21, 2021

Abu Dhabi appointments for the Sinopharm vaccine can be made through the Seha application. Only elderly residents and people with chronic health conditions can have walk-in appointments, all others must be pre-booked, health authorities said.

For the past six weeks,  across the country, shots of the vaccine were reserved for at–risk groups, including the elderly and those with underlying health issues.

In February, the Ministry of Health made the decision to limit the vaccine to special cases following a spike in infections at the beginning of the year.

Here, The National explains how you can book your jab.

Eligibility 

Eligible citizens and residents aged 16 and above can now be inoculated free of charge at any of the 205 vaccination locations nationwide, the health ministry said in a statement.

Vulnerable people without appointments will continue to receive priority at walk-in clinics.

Availability

The UAE has approved four Covid-19 vaccines for use: Sinopharm; Pfizer-BioNTech; Sputnik V; and Oxford-AstraZeneca.

Residents and citizens holding Abu Dhabi visas are eligible to receive the Sinopharm vaccine at all Seha-run facilities and participating Ministry of Health centres.

In the other emirates, health centres are administering all other jabs.

The type of vaccination you receive depends on availability and a patient’s risk of contraindications.

Dr Ramzi Alshaiba, medical director and specialist of general surgery at Bareen International Hospital in Abu Dhabi said the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine was available for citizens and residents, but strictly by appointment only.

“We advise our patients to visit our website or WhatsApp the Bareen hotline to book an appointment,” he said.

“Since we have just started opening slots, we are able to give appointments within the same week from the time we receive the query.”

There is a purpose-built Covid-19 vaccine tent on the hospital's premises.

A spokesperson for VPS Healthcare, which has 27 centres that offer the vaccine across the UAE, said people can now book their appointments online at www.covidvaccineuae.com and choose their nearest centre.

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A lab technician oversees the filling and package of vials for the large-scale production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine candidate at the Italian manufacturing facility of Catalent in Anagni, southeast of Rome, September 11, 2020. AFP

Registration

'Covid-19 UAE' is the Ministry of Health’s official mobile application on coronavirus management.

The app provides users with real-time coronavirus statistics in the UAE in co-ordination with National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority.

The app can be used to book a vaccination appointment at any participating Ministry of Health centre across the country.

People can download the app on Android or iOS. Users have to register by entering their personal details, Emirates ID and phone number before booking their appointment slot.

Dubai: For those looking to book an appointment at a DHA tent or centre in Dubai, they need to download the DHA application.

To register, a medical record number with the DHA is needed. This can be created on the DHA website.

After submitting your Emirates ID number, a one-time pin – or OTP – will be sent to your registered mobile number.

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UAE residents of all ages are eligible for the Sinopharm shot, which is available across the seven emirates. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

The system accepts only people who have a Dubai residency visa. The MRN cannot be created for visa holders of other emirates.

Once registered, login using your DHA Account or UAE Pass and select ‘book Covid-19 vaccine’.

Follow the symptom checker process and answer the questions carefully to determine your eligibility for the vaccine.

Schedule your appointment by choosing the nearest centre and the suitable time.

Review the details and confirm your appointment.

You will receive an SMS to confirm your appointment. Please read the consent form before visiting the clinic.

Abu Dhabi: Residents in Abu Dhabi or with an Abu Dhabi visa can book appointments via the Seha app. The following priority categories are eligible for walk-in vaccination at Seha vaccination centres and clinics, without an appointment:

- UAE nationals and their household workers

- Senior citizens and residents (50 years old and over)

- People of determination

- People with chronic diseases

Patients can register using their Emirates ID before continuing to the vaccination booking page.

Some of the centres offering vaccine to residents over 16

Dubai

Where: Al Ittihad Health Center

When: From Sunday to Thursday
9am to 6pm

Appointment: Call 80011111 or book via UAE Covid-19 app

Where: Dubai Parks and Resorts

When: From Sunday to Thursday
8am to 5pm

Appointment: Book via Seha application

______________

Abu Dhabi 

Where: Seha Covid-19 vaccination centre - Zayed Port

When: 7am to 10pm

Appointment: Book via Seha application

Where: Madinat Zayed Wedding Hall, Al Dhafra

When: 8am to 7.30pm

Appointment: Book via Seha application

______________

Sharjah

Where: Expo Centre Sharjah

When: From Sunday to Thursday
9am to 6pm

Appointment: Call 80011111 or book via UAE Covid-19 app

Where: Sharjah Health Center

When: From Sunday to Thursday
8am to 9pm

Appointment: Call 80011111 or book via UAE Covid-19 app

______________

Ajman

Where: Ajman Society for Social and Cultural Development

When: From Sunday to Thursday
8am to 10pm

Appointment: Call 80011111 or book via UAE Covid-19 app

Where: Emirates Hospitality Center Ajman

When: From Sunday to Thursday
9am to 6pm

Appointment: Call 80011111 or book via UAE Covid-19 app

______________

UAE’s vaccination drive

This latest announcement comes after the UAE reported last week that it had achieved its objective of vaccinating half the country’s population, two weeks ahead of its target date.

The total number of doses crossed 7.18 million on Sunday, representing 72.61 doses per 100 people.

Those who have already received their first dose were eligible to book their second dose throughout the past six weeks.