Covid-19 booster shots now available at walk-in clinics in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Health is offering third shots of Sinopharm for those who had the second dose six months ago

A man is vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

A man is vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

People queue to get vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

People register to get vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

People register to get vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

People register to get vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

Booster shots of the Sinopharm vaccine are now available on a walk-in basis at health clinics in Abu Dhabi.

In order to qualify, people must have received their second dose more than six months ago, said the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi in an announcement on Twitter.

Abu Dhabi has more than 100 vaccination centres offering the third dose across the emirate.

The UAE authorities have recommended the public should take booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines six to eight months after receiving their second dose, in order to ensure continued protection against the virus.

The Sinopharm vaccine was authorised for general public use on December 9, meaning many people who have received it will be eligible for the extra dose from the end of next month.

It was initially announced that priority will be given to the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

Walk-in Pfizer-BioNTech jabs

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Abu Dhabi Department of Health announced that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine would also be made available on a walk-in basis at more than 100 vaccination centres across the emirate.

The jab is available for all unvaccinated citizens and residents aged 12 and above.

Despite the ready availability of both Sinopharm and Pfizer-BioNTech in the UAE, health officials do not recommend mixing doses of the vaccine because there is not enough data about the safety of the practice.

The UAE currently has the highest rate of vaccination in the world.

More than 78 per cent of its eligible population have been vaccinated – at a rate of 127.8 doses per 100 people.

The push to encourage the public go for booster shots comes as Covid-19 cases in the UAE hit an eight-week daily high on Friday, with 2,236 new infections.