How to get the Pfizer vaccine in Dubai
Dubai started its Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine campaign against COVID-19 in the last week of December 2020. Residents of the emirate can get a free shot of this mRNA-based vaccine, developed in a collaboration between Pfizer, an American pharmaceutical company, and BioNTech, the German biotechnology company.
Available at seven healthcare centres across the emirate, the free Pfizer COVID vaccine campaign in Dubai requires residents to follow certain protocols before they can be inoculated. Those eligible may book appointments at the nearest healthcare centre accredited by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Read on for our comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the Pfizer vaccine in Dubai.
Pfizer COVID vaccine in Dubai protocols
The Pfizer vaccine in Dubai is accessible for anyone who fits the current criteria as set by the Dubai Health Authority.
Here is the list of categories who can currently obtain the Pfizer vaccination against the coronavirus in Dubai:
- Emiratis who are 16 or above
- Elderly residents who are 60 or above
- Dubai residents who are 40 or above
- Front liners and vital sector workers
- People of determination who are 16 or above
DHA accredited healthcare centres for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine campaign Dubai, UAE
Here is the list of healthcare centres where Dubai residents can get their Pfizer vaccine shots (subsequent to confirmed appointment). The facilities conduct the vaccination campaign daily from 08:00 am to 08:00 pm:
- Nad Al Hamr Primary Health Care Centre
- Zabeel Primary Health Care Centre
- Al Mizhar Primary Health Care Centre
- Barsha Primary Health Care Centre
- Uptown Mirdif Medical Fitness Centre
- Al Safa Primary Health Care Centre
- Hatta Hospital
Steps to take to get a Pfizer Vaccine in Dubai
Step 1: Booking an appointment for the Pfizer COVID Vaccine in Dubai via DHA app or hotline
ARRANGING AN APPOINTMENT VIA THE DUBAI HEALTH AUTHORITY’S HOTLINE
Residents can call the Dubai Health Authority’s hotline on 800-342 to book a Pfizer Vaccine in Dubai. An interactive voice response on the other end will explain the vaccination protocols and process in detail.
- Call DHA’s hotline on 800-342
- Listen to the automated options and select ”Covid-19 vaccinations” by pressing the corresponding number on your keypad.
- Select the Pfizer vaccine from the available menu options by pressing the corresponding number on your keypad.
- You will be connected to a DHA customer service representative.
- Answer the questions asked by the DHA customer service representative. Please note – You will be asked to provide your Medical History Number.
If you meet the necessary criteria, your appointment will be booked, and you will receive a confirmation SMS (to the mobile number attached to your Emirates ID) shortly after your call to the DHA ends.
REGISTERING FOR A PFIZER VACCINE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS VIA THE DUBAI HEALTH AUTHORITY APP
Residents can also use the DHA app to register for an appointment. Here is a step-by-step guide for registering for a vaccination appointment:
- Login to the DHA app by providing your DHA account details or UAE Pass.
- Select the option for booking a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
- Navigate through the on-screen questions to evaluate your eligibility.
- Select the nearest healthcare centre along with a suitable time for your appointment.
- Confirm the appointment after reviewing the details.
That’s it. You will soon receive a confirmation SMS from the DHA.
Note: It is advised to read through the consent form on the DHA’s official website before making your visit to the vaccination centre.
Step 2: Visit the nearest DHA-accredited healthcare centre
Once an appointment is confirmed, the patient should visit the allotted DHA licence holding healthcare centre on the specified date at the specified time. The medical team at the healthcare centre will first take the patient’s vital statistics and then ask standard questions about their health. If the patient’s answers meet the required criteria, they will be asked to sign the consent form and will then receive the vaccine. Vaccinated patients will have to wait for 20 minutes at the centre to make sure they don’t experience any side effects.
Those who receive the initial vaccination are required to return for a booster dose at a time that will be communicated to them. The clinic will send an SMS message to the phone of the patient to inform on the date and time they will receive their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
FAQs
Who can get vaccinated at DHA centres in Dubai?
Dubai Government has recently announced that all Emiratis aged 16 years or above can register to get vaccinated at DHA centres in Dubai. Besides that, all elderly Dubai residents who fall in the age bracket of 60 or above are also in the targeted category of Dubai Health Authority for vaccination against COVID-19.
Another category that is catered to at the DHA centres includes Dubai visa holders who are aged 40 or above. Additionally, the list includes front liners, vital sector workers and people of determination who are 16 years old or above.
What is the Dubai Health Authority hotline for booking an appointment to get the Pfizer vaccine in Dubai?
You can call on 800-342 to get an appointment for the Pfizer vaccine.
What if a person applying to get a Pfizer vaccine in Dubai does not have a Medical Record Number (MRN)?
Those who do not have a Medical Record Number will have to write an email to info@dha.gov.ae to get an appointment. They will be required to attach a copy of their Emirates ID in the email, along with their mobile number.
Is Pfizer vaccine rollout the first COVID-19 vaccine drive in Dubai?
The Pfizer vaccine campaign is the second vaccination drive against the coronavirus in the emirate. The first COVID-19 campaign in Dubai involved the Sinopharm vaccine from China that started on the 9th of December 2020.
How effective is the Pfizer vaccine for preventing COVID-19?
Results have shown that Pfizer-BioNTech has proved to be 95% effective against the coronavirus.
When do you start to develop a protective immunity after receiving the first dose of Pfizer vaccine in Dubai?
A person who has received the vaccine will develop a protective immunity within a month after receiving the first dose.
Where are drive-through National Screening Centres for COVID-19 located in Dubai?
Drive-through National Screening Centres for COVID-19 are located in several areas in Dubai including Oud Metha, Al Khawaneej, Discovery Gardens and more.
What precautions should I take to prevent contracting COVID-19?
Everyone should follow the guidelines announced by the World Health Organisation ,as well as the Dubai Government. Here is a complete guide on the coronavirus symptoms and preventions for UAE residents.
Can I walk into an accredited healthcare centre to get vaccinated without an appointment?
It is mandatory to register for an appointment before visiting the facility to get Pfizer vaccine in Dubai.
Which COVID-19 vaccines are available in Dubai?
Dubai residents can currently avail the Sinopharm vaccine, AstraZeneca vaccine and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Dubai. We have a comprehensive guide on coronavirus vaccines in the UAE that you can check for further information.
Can GCC nationals get vaccinated at DHA facilities in Dubai?
Yes, GCC national who have a valid Emirates ID can get registered to get COVID-19 vaccines at DHA facilities via the DHA app or helpline.
I have a residency visa issued in Abu Dhabi. Can I get access to the COVID-19 vaccine in Dubai as I am residing here currently?
DHA has announced that elderly individuals (60 or above) who have a residency visa of other emirates can get vaccinated in Dubai at DHA facilities. Provided that they can prove that they are residing in Dubai at the time.
This concludes our overview of how to get the Pfizer vaccine in Dubai. We have a guide for those who want to know about coronavirus testing centres in Dubai. It’s also worth checking out the new coronavirus quarantine rules in Dubai.
