Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine approved for use in Abu Dhabi

Our Correspondent

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has announced that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available in the capital city – at 11 centres spread across Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafra – through prior appointments.
Pfizer-BioNTech is the second vaccine to be made available in the emirate as part of the national vaccination campaign after the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.
However, the vaccine will not be available to certain categories of people: those who took part in the Phase III clinical trials, have received single or multiple doses of any other COVID-19 vaccines, pregnant women, people with certain conditions that is decided by evaluation of the medical team, people with severe allergic reaction to any component in the vaccine and children under the age of 16.
Residents can call 80050 to book an appointment to take the vaccine at any of the six SEHA centres (three in Abu Dhabi, two in Al Ain and one in Al Dhafra), or dial 8004959 or email to MCV@telemed.ae for facilities that are part of Mubadala Health (four in Abu Dhabi and one in Al Ain).
The Sinopharm vaccine is now available at 133 locations across the emirate. The facilities include health and drive-through centres under SEHA, private hospitals and majlis.
Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA), highlighted that more than 3.8 million people have been fully vaccinated in the UAE while the first dose has been to 5,081,853 people, which is 65.54 per cent of the eligible groups.
He urged citizens and expats aged above 16 years to get vaccinated and noted that strict measures are being considered to restrict the movement of unvaccinated people who are eligible to take the jab.
Movement restrictions planned for unvaccinated people
The UAE is contemplating the imposition of movement restrictions on residents who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine despite being eligible to do so. This could mean restricting their entry to certain places and access to some services.
“Delaying or refraining from taking the vaccine poses a threat to the safety of society and puts all groups, especially those most vulnerable to infection, at risk,” pointed out Saif Al Dhaheri at the April 20 briefing. “Your hesitation today … puts your family, loved ones and community at risk. Receiving the vaccine will contribute to immunising and protecting the community from this pandemic.”
Individuals with medical conditions must see a specialist doctor to determine whether they are eligible to get vaccinated, the official added.
“The effectiveness of the vaccine ranges from very good to excellent,” said Al Dhaheri. The aim now is to reach herd immunity and the focus in the coming period will be to vaccinate everyone, he added.
According to a recent study conducted in Abu Dhabi, no deaths were reported among fully vaccinated residents who contracted the disease. The efficacy of the vaccination in preventing hospitalisation is 93 per cent and reducing the need for ICU is 95 per cent.