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.
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 -
The Oxford vaccine could be among the first to hit the market. Vincenzo Pinzo / AFP -
A boy looks at Sinovac Biotech's vaccine candidate at the China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing. AFP -
A technician looks at monkey kidney cells as he makes a test on an experimental vaccine for Covid-19 at Sinovac Biotech facilities in Beijing. AFP -
A clinical research nurse prepares a Covid-19 vaccine to administer to a volunteer, at a clinic in London. AP -
Peru's President Martin Vizcarra speaks to the press during a visit to the bio-medical department of the Cayetano Heredia National University in Lima, where studies for vaccines against coronavirus are being developed. AFP -
Robyn Porteous, a vaccine trial volunteer, is injected as part of South Africa's human clinical trial at the Wits RHI Shandukani Research Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Reuters -
A nurse inoculates volunteer Ilya Dubrovin, 36, with Russia's new coronavirus vaccine at a clinic in Moscow. AFP -
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg (L) and Minister for Development Aid Dag Inge Ulstein (R) participate in a digital meeting with international leaders about a fair global distribution of Covid-19 vaccines at the the Prime Minister's office in Oslo on 10 September 2020. EPA -
A medic works in a lab during clinical trials for a Covid-19 vaccine at Research Centres of America in Hollywood, Florida. Bloomberg
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 -
People register for the vaccine at Seha's cruise ship terminal vaccine centre -
Both the government and employers have urged the public to get vaccinated, as the country faces record daily numbers of new cases -
An Abu Dhabi resident waits to receive her first shot at the Seha vaccination centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal. -
Sisters Aya and Jana register for the vaccine shot -
Suzana and husband Novica Ristovic get vaccinated pictured with the advice brochures given to all volunteers -
Shaikha Al Dheiri waits to be called in for the first of two shots that are necessary to provide protection against the virus -
The Seha Vaccination Centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal can serve up to 3,000 people per day. Victor Besa / The National -
The vaccination Centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal -
A medic holds up a package containing the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine -
Emirati Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets a basic blood oxygen check before his vaccination -
Two shots are required 21 days apart to ensure people have sufficient antibodies to protect them -
A man is inoculated at Seha Vaccination Centre in the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal -
Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Abu Dhabi's public hospital operator Seha, oversees the vaccination drive -
The Seha Vaccination Centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal can serve up to 3,000 people per day
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
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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.
