Vaccination drive in the UAE has begun with full swing. While Dubai aims to vaccinate 70 per cent of its population by the first quarter of 2021, Abu Dhabi has also updated its vaccine rules. As per the latest updates, vaccines in the capital is limited to the elderly, disabled, and people with chronic illnesses for the next six weeks. This update was announced by Abu Dhabi health chiefs on Sunday.
Elderly People, People With Chronic Diseases To Receive The Vaccine On Priority Basis
The decision by Abu Dhabi health chiefs comes after the Ministry of Health decided to prioritise inoculating the elderly and people with chronic diseases first. In terms of the vaccine, Abu Dhabi-ites, who have taken the first jab of the vaccine, can take the second one as scheduled. However, people who still haven’t got the first jab will now have to wait for a month.
Department of Health dedicates all Covid-19 vaccination centres in Abu Dhabi and other emirates to all citizens and residents who are senior citizens, people with chronic diseases, and People of Determination for six weeks starting 7 Feb. pic.twitter.com/EUlz06oizj
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) February 7, 2021
Walk-in service for younger people will end, and they will now be entertained by appointment only. Not only Abu Dhabi, but Dubai has also restricted the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to Emiratis and over 60s.
People Who Have Taken The First Shot, Will Recieve The Second One As Scheduled
The cases in the UAE are on the rise and to protect the ones who are more vulnerable to the virus, this rule has come into place. When it comes to chronic illnesses, health authorities said that people with heart diseases, diabetes and respiratory diseases would get the vaccine first. So, if you fit into one of the priority groups, you can receive the vaccine at any Seha centre without an appointment in Abu Dhabi or any other emirate.
Younger People To Wait Till March To Get Covid-19 Shot
Now, if you don’t fall in the priority group and have already booked an appointment to receive the vaccine, the date will be rescheduled. You will either receive a message from the medical centre you booked with or must call to move your appointment until a few weeks into March.
In terms of vaccines, the UAE has four vaccines available. Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca. Sputnik V is approved for emergency use, and Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines are available in Dubai.