Dubai reschedules first dose of Covid-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

The Dubai Health Authority took to Twitter on Saturday night to confirm that it is working on rescheduling the first dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

It said that it came as a result of the manufacturer announcing expansion of its vaccine production capacity, which has temporarily affected deliveries to several countries globally.

The DHA will communicate the new appointment for the first dose of the vaccine to those successfully registered via an SMS.

DHA is working on rescheduling the 1st dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Kindly note that the manufacturer has announced the expansion of the vaccine production capacity, which has temporarily affected several countries globally. pic.twitter.com/o3Bknk39uU

— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) January 23, 2021

However, all appointments for the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will remain unaffected and will go ahead as scheduled.

It urged customers who have completed their first dose and now need to take their second jab to keep to their appointment schedules and reach the vaccination centre on time.

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

Several countries around the world have reported shortages of supply of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recently. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health said last week that it was mulling rescheduling the appointments for those who registered to receive their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, due to “the delay of the producing company in supplying the vaccine to the kingdom”.

Read also: Saudi Arabia acknowledges delays in receiving Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine

Here in the UAE, as of January 23, the total number of doses administered stands at 2,426,793 with a vaccine distribution rate of 24.54 doses per 100 people.

In addition to the Pfizer, the UAE has also approved Sinopharm and most recently Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use within the country.

Read more: UAE approves Russian vaccine Sputnik for emergency use