Dubai: DHA to administer Pfizer-BioNTech boosters for residents aged 18 and above

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said on Sunday that it had begun administering booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to those aged 18 and over.

The boosters are available for Emiratis and expat residents of the emirate.

The health authority said that the boosters can be taken six months after receiving the second dose.

These booster shots will be administered on an appointment-basis only, which can be booked either via the DHA app or by contacting its call centre.

The centres where the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine are available in Dubai include One Central Covid-19 Vaccination Centre (Last day is December 16, 2021), Al Garhoud Medical Fitness Centre, Al Karama Medical Fitness Centre, Za’abeel Health Centre, Al Mizhar Health Centre, Al Barsha health Centre, Nad Al Hamar Health Centre and Albiet Metwahid Hall in Al Warqa.

DHA begins booster dose for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 18 years and above (booster can be taken 6 months after the 2nd dose) pic.twitter.com/ju93oSaXMQ

— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) November 28, 2021

For Emiratis, the only document that they must present when visiting a centre for their vaccination is their Emirates Id. Expat Dubai visa holders meanwhile must present their Emirates Id, and copies of their passport and Dubai visa. For those living in Dubai, but who have a UAE residence visa issued by another emirate, they must furnish proof of residence in Dubai, their Emirates Id and a copy of their passport.

The DHA had first begun administering the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 booster shots in October. At the time it was only available to certain categories of individuals such as Emiratis and Dubai residents aged 60 and over, patients in a long-term care setting aged 18 and above and those aged between 50-59 with chronic diseases.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) said that 17,208 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were administered across the country over the preceding 24 hours. The total number of doses provided to date in the UAE therefore stands at 21,835,103, with a vaccine distribution rate of 220.77 doses per 100 people.