Second phase of Dubai’s Pfizer vaccination campaign might begin earlier than April

The Dubai Health Authority has confirmed that the first phase of its vaccination campaign, which targets priority categories, could be completed before March-end 2021, a senior official has said.

The campaign, which offers the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for Dubai residents, began in December. Dubai – along with the other emirates, is also offering the Sinopharm vaccine more widely to all residents for free.

“We are in the first phase of the [Pfizer-BioNTech] vaccination campaign, which is supposed to end by March 2021 by covering all the priority categories that was determined,” Dr. Fairda Al Khaja, chairperson of the Covid-19 Vaccination Steering Committee at Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said.

“The second phase is supposed to start in April 2021. However, if we could finish the first phase before March, we will definitely open the vaccine before April to everyone who are the locals and residents in Dubai,” he added in a video message on the Dubai Media Office Twitter account.

When will the second phase of vaccination begin? When will everyone be allowed to receive the vaccine?#AskDXBdoctor @DHA_Dubai pic.twitter.com/QBCg96imY8

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 20, 2021

The DHA’s vaccination campaign is targeting four main categories. The first category includes people who are 60-years-old and above, people with chronic diseases and people of determination. The second category includes frontline workers in both the public and private sectors and the third category is made up of vital-sector workers.

The fourth category will be open to all others who wish to be vaccinated.

Priority will be given to the first three categories, the health authority earlier said.

Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available in seven DHA facilities including:

– Al Safa primary health care centre

– Zabeel primary health care centre

– Al Mizhar primary health care centre

– Nad Al Hamr primary health care centre

– Al Barsha primary health care centre

– Uptown Miriff medical fitness centre

– Hatta Hospital.

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