Less than two weeks ago, the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved to be administered in Dubai.
The vaccine has already started to be rolled out, with some government ministers already receiving their first doses. As of today, this now includes Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) Her Excellency Mona Al Marri.
Her Excellency and her mother received her first dose of the vaccine at Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Zabeel Healthcare Centre.
Discussing the approval to administer the vaccine free of charge to both UAE citizens and residents, Her Excellency explained it’s a reflection of the leadership in the emirate whilst also sharing her gratitude to the DHA and those on the frontlines.
As per the Dubai Media Office, she explained that it shows “their keenness to ensure the highest level of safety for all members of the community”.
Mona Ghanem AlMarri, Director-General of the @DXBMediaOffice, and her mother receive the 1st shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine as part of #Dubai Health Authority’s (@DHA_Dubai) free vaccination drive against Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/XuXSCalAB1
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 5, 2021
Who is eligible to have the vaccine?
After undergoing numerous clinical trials, the vaccine has been found to have 95 per cent efficacy. Recently, the DHA outlined exactly who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
At present, senior citizens of all nationalities with a valid residence visa over 60 years are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Similarly, people with chronic diseases which include, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, obesity and people with a BMI of 35 or more.
People with disabilities, often known as ‘people of determination’ in the emirates; frontline workers in the public and private sector, including medical staff, non-medical hospital workers, emergency services and employees in sensitive and vital positions, such as government employees working to tackle the pandemic are also eligible.
Whos is not eligible to have the Pfizer vaccine?
There are certain categories which aren’t yet eligible to get the vaccine as per the DHA including pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under the age of 18, people with immunodeficiency diseases and more.
At present, individuals receiving the vaccine require to have two doses spaced three weeks apart.
