Dubai: Want to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Regardless of which emirate you are living in, you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (with centres in every emirates), Abu Dhabi's Health Services Company, Seha, or the Dubai Health AUthority (DHA). Here is all you need to know about booking an appointment.
Ministry of Health and Prevention
From March 21, all UAE citizens and residents can book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine with MOHAP, according to an announcement by the Ministry.
The vaccine is available at all these locations in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
To book an appointment, follow these steps:
1. Download the COVID-19 UAE app, which is available for Apple and Android devices.
2. Select 'COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment', which will be the first option available for users. You may receive a prompt for enabling access to your phone's location, which you need to do.
3. Select the booking option for 'Residents, workers and families'.
4. Tap on 'Book an appointment'.
5. You will then be given the option to select whether you are a/an:
a. Education Sector Worker
b. Family
c. Health Care Sector Worker
d. Resident
6. Enter your first name, last name, date of birth, Emirates ID number and mobile number. Tap 'Next'.
7. Select the emirate (which may already be chosen based on your Emirates ID), date of appointment, the centre at which you wish to get inocculated, and the timing, which will be provided based on availability.
8. Check the terms and conditions box, after reading the consent form.
9. Tap on Confirm.
You will receive a confirmation SMS after you have booked the appointment. The Ministry has urged all citizens and residents to book an appointment, as only priority categories are being provided the vaccine on a walk-in basis.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi residents can book an appointment with Abu Dhabi's Health Services Company, Seha. To book an appointment follow these steps:
1. Download the 'Seha' app, which is available for Apple and Android devices.
2. Select the 'COVID-19 vaccine appointment', which will be one of the first few options available on the home screen.
3. Select whether you wish to receive the vaccine at a drive-through centre or any other centre.
4. Tap on 'Book an appointment'.
5. Enter your full name, Emirates ID number, date of birth, mobile number and email address.
6. Select your gender. Female applicants will then be asked to select their marital status. They will then be asked to agree to provide a negative pregnancy test result done within 24 hours before getting the first and second dose and be informed that they should not get pregnant during the three months following the vaccination.
7. You will then be directed to a health questionnaire, which will determine your health history and eligibility for the vaccine.
8. Once you have agreed to the terms and conditions, you can then search for the available COVID-19 vaccine centres and the timings that are available to receive the vaccine.
9. Select 'Book now' to confirm your appointment.
Dubai
You can book your appointment by downloading the Dubai Health Authority’s smartphone application – DHA – or by calling the authority’s hotline on 800 342.
App
To book an appointment using the DHA app, follow these steps:
1. Download the app – ‘DHA’, which is available for both Apple and Android phones.
2. Select the ‘Book COVID-19 vaccine’ service on the home page.
3. You will receive information on the vaccines that are available and what the priority categories are for each.
4. Tap on ‘Proceed to pre-assessment’.
5. You will then receive a number of questions which you need to answer
6. You will also be asked if you have had a COVID-19 infection in the past three months or have received a COVID-19 or other vaccine recently.
7. If you meet the criteria for the target group, you will then be directed to a list of locations of health centres where you can get the vaccine. Select the location most convenient to you.
Call centre
To book an appointment through the call centre, follow these steps:
1. Call 800 342.
2. Select the option for COVID-19 vaccine (1) and then the COVID-19 vaccine appointment (1).
3. You will be directed to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu, through which you will need to answer the questions related to your health condition, and any previous COVID-19 infections.
4. Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be connected to a DHA representative, who will ask you for your Emirates ID or DHA Medical Record Number (MRN).
5. The representative will then help you with booking the appointment at a location of your choice.
6. Finally, you will receive a text message on your registered mobile number within a few minutes, confirming the appointment.
How to create a medical record number (MRN)
Your MRN number is required when booking your COVID-19 vaccine appointment. You can create one by:
1. Visiting the DHA website - www.dha.gov.ae
2. Following the direct link - bit.ly/MRN_E
Once you enter your Emirates ID number, you will receive a one-time password on your registered mobile number. Once you confirm, you will receive your MRN number on the website.
Which vaccine is available?
The Dubai Health Authority is offering the following vaccines:
Sinopharm
Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine
Oxford-AstraZeneca
Where can you go to get the vaccine shot?
The number of centres offering the vaccine in Dubai has increased to 120. Get a complete list of all the centres here.
Who can get the vaccine?
UAE residents can register and book appointments for vaccination through the DHA app or the DHA’s toll-free number 800 342. However, you would need to fall under the following categories, according to an announcement on March 2, 2021.
According to DHA, vaccines are being administered to the following categories:
1. All Emiratis
2. Dubai residence visa holders within the ‘People of determination’ category
3. All Dubai residence visa holders who are above the age of 40.
4. Dubai residence visa holders who suffer from chronic diseases
5. Elderly residents who are 60 years and above and live in Dubai. According to the announcement, elderly residents aged 60 and above with a valid visa issued in any Emirate can register for an appointment, provided they can prove that they are residing in Dubai.
6. GCC country nationals who carry an Emirates ID.
The appointments for the following categories are scheduled in coordination between the DHA and their workplace:
1. Frontliners
2. Vital sector workers
What is the minimum age to get the vaccine?
Age group-based eligibility:
Sinopharm — 16 years and above.
Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine — 16 years and above.
Oxford-AstraZeneca — 18 years and above.
Is the vaccine mandatory?
Responding to some frequently asked questions, the Dubai Media Office provided the following information on the COVID-19 vaccine.
Is the vaccine voluntary or compulsory in Dubai?
The vaccination is voluntary for all residents and citizens.
Can a person who was infected with COVID-19 take the vaccine?
Yes, but he/she will need to take the vaccination after three months from the date of infection.
If someone has taken any other vaccine other than the COVID-19 vaccine (for example, the influenza vaccine), is it safe to take the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, but you need to wait for more than four weeks after the influenza vaccine to be able to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Am I exempt from taking a PCR test for travel purposes or for pre-surgical procedures in Dubai if I have taken the COVID-19 vaccine?
No, you are not exempt. For the time being, everyone is required to follow policies and regulations that are related to COVID-19 testing and screening in Dubai.
Can I stop wearing a face mask after taking the COVID-19 vaccine?
Everyone is required to follow all the precautionary measures set, including wearing a face mask after taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
