1. Handling the COVID-19 outbreak
  2. Vaccines against COVID-19 in the UAE

Vaccines against COVID-19 in the UAE

There are four vaccines in the UAE for use on eligible individuals against the COVID-19 infection: one by Sinopharm, the other by Pfizer-BioNTech, the third by Sputnik V and the latest by Oxford-AstraZeneca. The UAE is offering these vaccines to its citizens and residents free of charge and on optional basis after ensuring that the person has no condition or symptom that make it inadvisable. Nursing mothers, pregnant women and children are excluded from COVID-19 vaccinations.

Book an appointment to get the vaccine

Vaccines against COVID-19 are available throughout the UAE, free of charge for medically eligible citizens and residents, according to the priority announced by the UAE’s health authorities from time to time. 

 

Book an appointment with any one of the authorities:

 

Vaccines will be administered to the following people on priority. They are eligible to walk into most vaccination centres and clinics without an appointment:

  • UAE nationals and their household workers
  • Senior citizens and residents (those who are 60 years old and above)
  • People of determination
  • People with chronic illnesses
  • Those working in the health and education centres.

 

What are the procedures to get the vaccine? What are the possible symptoms after vaccination?

Watch this short video to get your queries answered. Watch this video on steps and priorities to take the vaccine.

 

Find out more details in COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Guide (PDF, 2.45 MB) which was released by DHA and from the website of Weqaya.

 

For emergencies or any side effects from the vaccine, call MoHaP on 800-111-1.

 

Note: For latest news and updates about COVID-19 vaccines, location and appointments, follow the health authorities on Twitter via the following handles:

 

Related links

FAQs about COVID-19 vaccine-  National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority.

Vaccination centres

View the list of MoHaP vaccination centres in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The vaccines are also available at several private hospitals across the UAE free of charge.

 

    

 

View SEHA's vaccination centres.

 

Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine

On 9 December 2020, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) announced that it had officially registered the ‘Beijing Institute of Biological Products’ inactivated vaccine’, known as ‘Sinopharm vaccine’ which was developed jointly with Sinopharm - CNBG (China National Biotec Group).

As per MOHAP, Sinopharm-CNBG’s interim analysis of the phase III trials of Chinese-made Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine, it has:

  • 86 per cent efficiency against COVID-19 infection
  • 99 per cent seroconversion rate of neutralising antibody
  • 100 per cent effectiveness in preventing moderate and severe cases of the disease.

Furthermore, the analysis shows no serious safety concerns.

 

Who can get the vaccine?

Priority is given to citizens and residents above the age of 18, particularly, the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.

Sinopharm vaccine requires two doses. The first dose is taken following an assessment of the patient’s health and the second dose is taken after a period averaging between 21 to 28 days.

 

Where can I get the Sinopharm vaccine?

Sinopharm vaccine is available throughout the UAE. 

View the list of MoHaP's vaccination centres in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. 

Refer to the list of COVID-19 vaccination centres in:

 

The vaccine is also available at SEHA's drive-through centres and the following locations:

  • Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Abu Dhabi City - from 7 am to 10 pm
  • Al Ain Convention Center, Al Ain City - from 7 am to 10 pm
  • Dubai Parks & Resort, Dubai - from 8 am to 5 pm
  • Madinat Zayed Wedding Hall, Al Dhafra - from 8 am to 7:30 pm.

Find more information on SEHA’s website.

 

View the list of DHA vaccination centres in Dubai.

 

The vaccine is also available at several private hospitals across the UAE, free of charge. 

 

Earlier, in September 2020, the UAE authorised the emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccine for frontline workers, as they are the most at risk of getting COVID-19. The Sinopharm vaccine was used in the UAE’s ‘4Humanity’ campaign, which hosted the first global clinical Phase-III of an inactivated vaccine to combat COVID-19 back in July 2020.

 

Contact MoHaP for queries and appointments.

Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine

On 22 December 2020, MoHaP announced the emergency registration of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine and on the next day, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) started its free vaccination drive against COVID-19 using this vaccine.

 

Who is the vaccine for?

The first phase of Dubai’s campaign targets the following:

  • Emiratis and Dubai residents who are aged 60 years and above
  • People who are 18 years and above, and suffer from chronic diseases
  • People of determination
  • Frontline workers.

Vaccination consists of two doses, taken separately. The gap between the two doses is 21 days.

 

Where can I get the Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine?

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available at these healthcare centres across Dubai.

 

The vaccine was first approved for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration on 11 December 2020 and later by World Health Organisation (WHO) on 31 December 2020.

 

Find out more details in COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Guide (PDF, 2.45 MB) which was released by DHA.

 

Related links from Weqaya:

Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine

On 21 January 2021, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced its approval of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in the UAE. The vaccine is based on human adenoviral vector-based platform. Its effectiveness against COVID-19 is confirmed at 91.4 per cent, while its efficacy against severe cases of the disease is 100 per cent.

 

The vaccine was registered under the emergency use authorisation based on Russia’s Phase III clinical trials on more than 33,000 participants. The UAE also participated in the vaccine’s phase III clinical trials with more than 1,000 volunteers who received the first dose under the supervision of MoHAP and Department of Health - Abu Dhabi. 

 

Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine was developed by The Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology and Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

Emergency use of COVID-19 vaccine approved for heroes in the first line of defence

In September 2020, the UAE Government authorised the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine; making it available to heroes in the first line of defence. The decision aims to protect the heroes since they are at most risk due to the nature of their work. The use of the vaccine will be fully compatible with the regulations and laws that allow a faster review of licensing procedures.

 

The evaluation of the vaccine for emergency use was based on:

  • a declaration by the global health authorities of an emergency leading to a serious or life-threatening disease or condition
  • the availability of scientific evidence that proves the effectiveness of the product intended for emergency response
  • the safety of the use of the vaccine
  • the evidence that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks.

 

The evaluation was carried out for emergency use, taking into account the following:

  • the target groups
  • product characteristics
  • preclinical and clinical study data
  • population study and all relevant available scientific evidence.

 

Read news coverage on WAM.

National Policy on Vaccinations

Also, read about the National Policy on Vaccinations.

Updated on 10 Feb 2021

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