UAE’s health ministry provides Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to 12-15 age group

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is offering booking slots for 12 to 15-year-olds for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through the ministry website or the Covid-19 app.

The ministry also noted that those who took the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine at least six months ago are now eligible to receive booster shots, official news agency WAM reported.

This came in the wake of the ministry’s approval for the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children within that age group, following the completion of clinical trials and an assessment conducted to approve the local emergency use of the jab.

Read: Children between the age of 12-15 in the UAE now eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine

In January, MoHAP had said that all UAE citizens and residents aged 16 and above are eligible for vaccination under the National Vaccination Programme against Covid-19.

Read: Covid-19 vaccination centre opens in Dubai World Trade Centre; minimum age for jab reduced to 16

Earlier this week, health authorities in Abu Dhabi also confirmed that the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was now available on a walk-in basis within the emirate.

Read: Abu Dhabi offers walk-in appointments for Pfizer jab; new Covid-19 treatment approved in UAE

Dubai too confirmed that it had opened bookings for the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for those between the age of 12-15 earlier this month.

Read: Covid-19 vaccine: Dubai opens bookings of Pfizer shot for 12-15 age group

“The state’s decision to provide the Pfizer Covid vaccine to the 12-15 age group, in addition to the Sinopharm booster dose clearly reflects the keenness of the state’s leadership to immunise community health as a national priority,” said Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, assistant under-secretary of Health Centres and Clinics Sector.

Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi, director of preventive medicine department, asserted that the Covid-19 vaccine centres are fully equipped with specialised health cadres and medical equipment and supplies to welcome those in that age bracket to get the vaccine, as well as those who received their second dose of Sinopharm vaccine at least six months ago to get the booster dose.