How to book a Pfizer booster shot in Dubai and find out if you are eligible

Those inoculated with two doses of the Pfizer, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines can sign up

Indian students apply the finishing touches to paintings created to raise awareness of the variant in Mumbai. Reuters

International travellers wearing personal protective equipment arrive at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport as Australia records its first cases of the Omicron variant. AFP

A greeting at the international terminal of Sydney Airport, as countries respond to the new variant. Reuters

A sign asking people to wear face coverings in a building in Manhattan as the newly discovered Omicron variant appears in countries around the world. AFP

Tourists wave as the ‘Europa’ passenger liner arrives in South African waters off Cape Town as the new coronavirus variant Omicron spreads in other countries. Reuters

Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Dutch health authorities said they have found another case of the Omicron Covid-19 variant among passengers arriving from South Africa, bringing the country’s total to 14. AFP

Pupils wear face masks in Beijing. Despite the global worry, scientists say it remains unclear whether the Omicron variant is more dangerous than other strains of the virus. AP

People wearing face masks in Manhattan. New York's governor has declared a state of emergency due to the risk of a surge of Covid-19 cases as winter sets in. AFP

British Health Secretary Sajid Javid meets a member of staff at a vaccine centre in Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London. Getty Images

A sign points the way to a Covid-19 test centre at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. AFP

Narita International Airport in Japan is quiet after travel was restricted to prevent the spread of Omicron. Reuters

A PCR test at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. AFP

Soekarno Hatta International airport. Indonesia has banned the arrival of travellers who have recently been in eight southern African countries. Reuters

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok after Thailand banned entry from eight southern African countries due to the Omicron variant. Reuters

Travellers wear personal protective equipment outside the international terminal at Sydney Airport, Australia. Reuters

Passengers wearing protective gear at Incheon International Airport in South Korea, where health authorities have imposed an entry ban on foreign arrivals from eight African countries, including South Africa. EPA

Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. The Israeli government approved a 14-day ban on foreign arrivals over concerns about Omicron. EPA

Travellers queuing in the hope of boarding an overbooked Lufthansa flight at Cape Town International Airport. Antonie Robertson / The National

Covid-stricken Czech President Milos Zeman sits in a plastic cage as he appoints Petr Fiala as Prime Minister, near Prague. AFP

Tourists checking in at Cape Town International Airport in South Africa. Antonie Robertson / The National

Several airlines have stopped flying out of South Africa amid the spread of the new variant, causing disruption at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Reuters

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Two cases of the recently discovered Omicron variant were detected in New South Wales. EPA

Passengers, many not wearing face coverings, on the London Underground. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said mandatory mask-wearing would return to shops and public transport in England but there are concerns over how the rule will be enforced. AFP

A stroll, with face masks, in Biarritz, south-western France. French Health Minister Olivier Veran said France had no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant and was not changing its strategy of increasing vaccinations and booster shots. AP

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty during a press conference on the variant in London. Reuters

Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron

UAE authorities have said that a third Covid-19 vaccine shot is necessary to ensure the well-being of residents as countries around the globe are hit by new waves of the virus.

A booster shot can be taken by people who were vaccinated against coronavirus more than six months ago and all adults are eligible for a third shot.

People who took two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sputnik V can book a third shot over the phone or via the mobile app of the Dubai Health Authority.

On December 27, the UAE also approved a new Sinopharm vaccine to be used as a booster in emergency cases.

The new “recombinant protein-based vaccine” would be used as a booster for those who previously received two doses of the inactive Sinopharm vaccine.

DHA call centre staff confirmed appointments for staff from The National who received Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines earlier this year. Each was told they would be given Pfizer boosters, regardless of their original dose.

UAE residents vaccinated with AstraZeneca were previously unable to make a booking. The small number of residents who took the Russian-made Sputnik V have been encouraged to book an appointment.

Boosters are important in fighting the Omicron variant, a coronavirus strain with an unusually large number of mutations. It was first detected in South Africa but has since spread around the world.

According to the World Health Organisation, the latest variant is a major genetic mutation that affects characteristics of the virus to make it spread faster.

The highly contagious strain is driving record-high infections but also appears to be a less severe form of the disease.

According to preliminary findings, the key weapon to stop the spread is delivering booster shots to as many people as possible.

How do I make a booking for a booster?

Appointments must be made either through the DHA app or by reaching the call centre on 800342.

Residents can use the app to choose a day, time and location for a booster.

Who is eligible?

Anyone above 18 who has received their second vaccination at least six months ago

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

An Emirates ID is required by all while Dubai visa holders must also bring their passport and Dubai visa copy.

Those living in Dubai but with a UAE residence visa issued elsewhere must also bring proof of residence.

Do I need a medical record number?

Yes. This can be generated on the DHA website by entering your Emirates ID number. This link is https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/pages/mrn.aspx.

Where can I receive a booster shot?

These are the clinics that offer the vaccine:

• Al Barsha Health Centre
• Al Garhoud Medical Fitness Centre
• Al Mizhar Primary Healthcare Centre
• Nadd Al Hamar Primary Healthcare Centre
• Uptown Mirdif Medical Fitness Centre
• Hatta Hospital
• Dubai Hospital
• Latifa Hospital
• One Central Covid-19 vaccination Centre
• Rashid Hospital
• Zabeel Clinic

Private hospitals

• Al Garhoud Hospital
• Aster Healthcare
• Al Zahra Hospital
• King's College Hospital London
• Saudi German Hospital
• Health Hub facilities
• Emirate Hospital
• Mediclinic
• Valiant Clinic
• Fakeeh University Hospital
• International Modern Hospital
• NMC Royal Hospital
• American Hospital Dubai
• Al Tadawi
• Zulekha Hospital
• Prime Group
• Canadian Hospital

Do I need a booster to travel?

Not yet, but that is expected to change in early 2022 as more countries change their policy regarding what it means to be fully vaccinated to include a third booster.

A recommendation in the EU could place a nine-month time limit on vaccine validity due to scientific research that shows immunity declines after six months.