Dubai on Tuesday received the first shipment of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced that it will administer the AstraZeneca vaccine across the emirate in the coming days in order to provide a choice of different vaccines to the public. With the provision of the COVID-19 vaccines, the DHA is working towards fulfilling the broader objective of the UAE leadership to combat the pandemic.

The DHA hailed the efforts made by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the ongoing fight against the pandemic. The Authority also lauded the Ministry's cooperation with Indian authorities that facilitated the shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Dubai.

After Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinopharm vaccines, the AstraZeneca vaccine is the latest addition to the list of COVID-19 vaccines currently provided by the DHA across Dubai.

These vaccines are being administered to the public as part of the comprehensive vaccine drive launched by Dubai authorities in December 2020. The DHA has set up more than 120 vaccination centres across the emirate to administer the vaccines to all people. At the same time, the Authority is working to set up more vaccine centres in the coming weeks in order to inoculate the maximum number of population in the emirate.

Speaking about the AstraZeneca vaccine shipment, Dr. Farida Al Khaja, CEO of DHA’s Clinical Support Services and Nursing Sector and Chairperson of the COVID-19 Vaccination Steering Committee, confirmed that it will be available at the One Central Vaccination Centre for all Emiratis aged between 18 and 60. In addition, AstraZeneca vaccine will also be administered to people of determination and people with chronic diseases aged between 18 and 60, provided they have a valid Dubai visa.

Dr Al Khaja added that people are required to book an appointment through the DHA Contact Centre by calling at 800 342 to receive the vaccine at the One Central Vaccination Centre.

Frontline personnel and workers from key public and private sectors can also receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at the vaccination field centre. Individuals in these two categories will be given the vaccine in accordance with the appointments made in coordination with the government departments and entities they work for.

Meanwhile, the DHA has urged all community members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and support the ongoing efforts of the authorities to protect public health and safety. The Authority also called for following the relevant precautionary measures in the fight against the pandemic, including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing even after receiving the vaccine. It noted that getting vaccinated is the most effective method to combat the Coronavirus and protect the community.

WAM