National Vaccination Program in the UAE

To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the National vaccination Program is under full swing in the UAE. According to recent reports, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) official spoke to the press and public about their intention to provide vaccination to all UAE residents.  

The United Arab Emirates is the first of few countries in the globe showcasing sincere efforts to provide vaccines to all its residents, aimed at achieving immunity against the novel coronavirus. This initiative could help reduce the COVID-19 positive cases and control its rampant spread across the country. 

The vaccines are being provided free of cost at 205 medical facilities across the UAE. Media news confirms the fact that the UAE vaccine administration rate is quick and fast-paced, ranked second in the world. This can drastically reduce the number of COVID-19 cases as the vaccines are easily available to all UAE residents. Medical experts in the country are optimistic that this vaccine drive can help achieve herd immunity in the Arab nation. 

Currently, four vaccines have been made available for UAE residents namely; Pfizer-BioNTech, Chinese Sinopharm, and Russian Sputnik and most recently Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. The UAE government vaccine campaign aims to bring down the total number of active cases and also to have at least 50 % of the UAE population vaccinated by the month of March 2021. 

Vaccination Campaign in Dubai 

Dubai has started its anti-virus campaign by rolling out Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines on 23rd December along with other vaccines in 2020. The vaccine program is free and those interested in getting vaccinated need to register through the Dubai Health Authority App or speak via the toll-free number 800342 provided. 

First & Second Phase of the Vaccination

The first phase of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination has been initiated to provide priority vaccination:

• All people who are 60 years of age and above
• All individuals with chronic health issues 
• People who are disabled 
• Front line healthcare workers

The second vaccine phase will start in April 2021 and will focus on vaccinating all citizens and UAE residents. The NCEMA further stated that official procedures are being followed and guidelines have been given to the residents in an attempt to manage the pandemic and recover from its ill effects. 

After getting vaccinated, the residents are duly observed and advised to keep a check on their health. Vaccinated individuals are counseled to approach health officials if they feel any side effects. They are also advised to maintain safe social distancing, wear masks in public, and abide by all safety regulations to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. People who do not follow the rules may have to pay a penalty fee (anywhere between DHS 1000 to DHS 50,000). 

Successful strategies adopted by the UAE government to resist the spread of the virus has made it one of the safest countries in the world today. Cities like Dubai have undertaken stringent measures that include implementation of protocol methods such as surveillance and quarantine. The COVID-19 testing capacity has also been enhanced to accommodate almost 85000 tests in a single day. Online medical portal DoctorUna can assist you to know more about vaccination centers near your locality. 

Dubai has planned to inoculate seventy percent of its resident population with COVID-19 vaccination produced by companies such as Sinopharm, Pfizer and BioNTech by the end of 2021.