Dubai expands Covid-19 vaccine eligibility criteria

All valid Dubai resident visa holders aged 40 and above can now register to receive Covid-19 vaccinations at Dubai Health Authority (DHA) facilities.

The DHA added on Tuesday that those aged 60 and above with a valid resident visa issued in any emirate within the UAE can also register for the vaccine, provided they can prove they reside in Dubai.

Furthermore, GCC nationals with a valid Emirates ID can also get vaccinated at DHA facilities.

To book an appointment, individuals can do so either through the DHA app or DHA contact centre, which can be reached on 800 342.

The DHA said that it had expanded the age limits for receiving the vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can now be administered to all individuals 16 years and above, instead of the previous age threshold of 18 years. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine meanwhile can now be administered to anyone aged 18 and above, instead of the previous restrictions which limited it to those between 18-65 years.

The Authority also announced that elderly individuals aged 60 and above with a valid resident visa issued in any emirate can register for the vaccine, provided they can prove they are residing in #Dubai.

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 2, 2021

The emirate’s health authority said the decision was a result of a directive issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.

Dr. Farida Al Khaja, CEO of DHA’s Clinical Support Services and Nursing Sector and chairperson of the Covid-19 Vaccination Steering Committee, said the ongoing expansion of the vaccination campaign is based on a strategic plan developed by the authority late last year, which outlines progressive phases and timelines based on global best practices and guidelines, noted a statement issued by the Dubai Media Office.

On February 7, the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) said that all Covid-19 vaccination centres in the country will temporarily prioritise vaccinating the elderly and people with chronic diseases.

However, this latest announcement from the DHA has expanded the eligibility criteria for those receiving the vaccine within Dubai.

Under the new rules from the DHA, the targeted categories for this phase of its vaccination programme will now include: all Emiratis (16 years and above), elderly residents aged 60 and above living in Dubai, all valid Dubai resident visa holders aged 40 and above. Valid Dubai resident visa holders with chronic diseases or in the people of determination category (16 years and above), frontliners and vital sector workers are also eligible to receive the vaccine.

Appointments for frontliners and vital sector workers will be scheduled in coordination with government departments and the institutions where they work.

The authorities in Dubai aim to vaccinate 70 per cent of its resident population by the end of December 2021.

Read: Dubai will end Covid-19 vaccination campaign by December 2021, says taking jab is not compulsory

Overall in the UAE, more than six million doses of the vaccine have been provided and 3,614,070 people have been inoculated to date, which accounts for 46.61 per cent of the target population.