Dubai frontline workers receive second dose of Pfizer vaccine

Health authority asks residents to remember follow-up appointments

A Dubai ambulance worker is vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in Dubai.

An older resident receives her first shot at Zabeel Health Centre on December 27, 2020.

The vaccine is expected to be rolled out to all age groups once people in the essential categories have been vaccinated.

A nurse holds a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for use by Dubai's emergency and crisis authority and the federal Ministry of Health.

An employee from Roads and Transport Authority receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Dubai.

A woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.

The city has six vaccine centres where the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is available.

A man waits to receive the first of two doses at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.

A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.

A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.

A vial of the vaccine is seen at Barsha Health Centre. AFP

A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at al-Barsha Health Centre in Dubai. AFP

Healthcare workers and frontline staff in Dubai have begun receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

They are being vaccinated 21 days after taking the first shot of the vaccine.

The Dubai Health Authority said its centres had begun administering the second dose and asked residents to remember to arrive at their appointments on time.

An employee with the Roads and Transport Authority said he was relieved when he received the final dose at DHA’s Al Barsha branch.

“I feel very happy, I feel very good,” the Dubai resident said in a video posted by the RTA.

“I’m thankful and grateful for the opportunity to get the Covid-19 vaccine."

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available at seven Dubai Health Authority facilities.

Doses are initially available only for residents of Dubai in priority groups including medical staff, essential service workers, residents and citizens over 60, patients with chronic diseases and people with disabilities.

In Abu Dhabi, a 97-year old Emirati took the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine at the Neama Health Centre.

Nakheera Al Dhaheri decided to take the vaccine with other relatives.

His son told state news agency Wam that it was important for the community and the elderly to come forward for the vaccination to protect themselves.

The Sinopharm vaccine is available to anyone over the age of 18 at more than 152 centres throughout the country.

The elderly and other residents can request home visits.

The vaccine is available in clinics run by Abu Dhabi's public health operator, Seha; at Ministry of Health and Prevention centres; and in private hospitals across the country.

UAE leaders and health authorities are asking the public to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to help with the recovery of the country.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai asked people “to hasten to be vaccinated to protect our health, our economy and our achievements”.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, thanked frontline workers for their “tremendous efforts” to protect the country’s population.

He hoped with vaccinations picking up pace the country would “reach the point of full recovery in the shortest possible time”.

Authorities renewed calls for people to come forward to take vaccines after new daily cases exceeded 3,000 for the first time this week.