Dubai opens Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine appointments for children between 12 and 15

Parents can book slots using the DHA app

The Al Hosn app can be used as official proof of vaccination, to show negative PCR test status, to travel and to enter certain live events.

Asha Susan Philip, a nurse with Dubai Health Authority, receives the Pfizer vaccine. On Tuesday, Abu Dhabi also approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in the emirate.

A child, 9, is held by her mother as she receives the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine during a clinical trial for children at Duke University in the US. In the UAE, those who are 16 and above are eligible to receive the vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine will be available at select clinics in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafrah, by appointment only.

A boy receives an injection during a trial of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine among children aged between 12 and 15, at Duke University in the US.

Last week, Dubai Health Authority said recovered patients and breastfeeding mothers are now eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Pfizer received emergency approval in the UAE in December after trials showed it was 95 per cent effective. Dubai started distributing it in December and the vaccine is now available in the capital.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the second Covid-19 vaccine to be made available in Abu Dhabi, which began a mass vaccine campaign in mid-December using a shot produced by Chinese company Sinopharm.

Dubai Health Authority has opened appointments for youngsters aged 12 to 15 for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Parents can book using the DHA app.

Dr Farida Al Khaja, chief executive of DHA’s Clinical Support Services and Nursing Sector and chairperson of the Covid-19 Vaccination Steering Committee, said children should “continue to observe precautionary measures even after receiving both doses of the vaccine”.

Children with chronic conditions will have priority, as will those who live with elderly people or individuals whose health conditions prevent them from being vaccinated.

Dr Al Khaja confirmed that children between 12 and 15 who have tested positive for Covid-19 with mild or no symptoms can receive the vaccine after they complete the 10-day post-recovery isolation period.

For moderate or severe cases, parents must consult their doctor before booking an appointment.

DHA facilities that provide the vaccine to children include Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Hatta Hospital and Al Barsha, Al Mizhar and Zabeel primary healthcare centres.

The vaccine is also available at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital.

The UAE approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged between 12 and 15 on an emergency basis on May 13.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention said approval was given after the country carried out successful clinical trials and assessments.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was recently cleared for use in adolescents between 12 and 15 in the US after a trial showed it was safe and 100 per cent effective.

In late March, the company embarked on a global study to test its vaccine on children aged six months to two years, two years to five years and five years to 11 years.

The findings from phase one will help to decide the dosage level for later stages.

In phases 2 and 3, the company will study the immune response in children, the tolerance level in each age group and possible side effects.

Data on the age group 5 to 11 is expected this summer, the company said.

If trials go well, young children could be vaccinated by the end of the year, BioNTech co-founder and chief medical officer Dr Ozlem Tureci said.

“We expect the data at the end of the summer or autumn of this year. We will then file it with the regulators and, depending on how fast they react, by the end of the year we might get approval to also immunise younger children,” she said.