The UAE authorities have called on all eligible community members to get their booster vaccine doses to enhance immunity against new variants of the COVID-19 virus. There are vaccination centres across Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah offering the Sinopharm and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and booster doses under the management of the Emirates Health Services (EHS).

Here is the list of public facilities providing the COVID-19 vaccine with the supervision of the EHS:

Dubai

1. Al Ittihad Tent: Saturday to Thursday 8am -5pm

2. Dubai Mall (Zabeel): 9am-6pm

3. Al Lussily Health Center: 8am -5pm

Sharjah

1. Oasis Mall

2. Muwaileh Council

3. Arab Cultural Club

4. Mughaider Council

5. Hayawa Suburb Council

6. Dibba Al-Hisn City Council

7. Al Bustan Suburb Council

8. Department of Culture-Kalba

9. COVID-19 Center in Public Health Center-Kalba

These COVID-19 vaccine centres in Sharjah are open from Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm.

Umm Al Quwain

Al Bait Metwahhed: Saturday to Thursday from 8am -5pm

Ras Al Khaimah

1. Noura Bin Sultan Center: Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 2pm

2. Al Bait Almotwahid Hall of Ras Al Khaimah: 8am to 3pm

3. Ras Al Khaimah Sport Hall: 8am -8pm. Saturday timings are: 8am to 4pm.

4. Public Health Center-Al Qosaydat: 7.30am to 2.30pm

Ajman

1. Sheikh Khalifa Hall Albait Metwahhed: Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 7pm

2. Indian Association: 10am to 7pm

3. Al Tanmya Hall-Al Jerf: 10am to 7pm

4. Ajman Society of Social and Cultural Development: Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm (Until 30th of December 2021)

Fujairah

1. Al Bait Metwahhed Hall: Saturday to Thursday from 8am to 4pm

2. Dibba Exhibition Centre: 9am to 5pm

Booking an appointment

People can boost COVID-19 vaccine appointment with EHS through their hotline - 800 8877 and mobile application 'Covid-19 EHS'.

To book an appointment through the toll-free number, people must follow these steps:

1. Call 800 8877

2. Dial 1 for Arabic or 2 for English

3. After selecting the preferred language, dial 1 for appointment booking services

4. The call will be transferred to an operator, who will book the COVID-19 vaccine appointment

People can also book an appointment online by downloading the ‘Covid-19 EHS’ app on their Apple, Android and Huawei devices. Steps to follow:

1. Download the app from the IOS App Store, Google Play or the Huawei AppGallery.

2. Once downloaded, tap on ‘Book Vaccine Appointment’ in the light pink tab.

3. You will get three options to choose from:

· Citizens, Residents and Students

· Senior Citizens at home vaccination

· Bulk appointment for companies

4. Choose the appropriate category (in this case ‘Citizens, Residents and Students’) and then tap on the ‘Book Appointment’ tab.

5. Later, you will be asked to choose an ‘appointments category' which includes six options:

· Booster dose

· GCC Nationals

· Resident

· Student (12 years and above)

· UAE Nationals

· Worker

6. Select the preferred vaccine from the next category:

· Sinopharm BIBP (inactivated) - Sinopharm BIBP COVID-19 vaccine.

· Sinopharm HYT (inactivated) – Hayat-Vax. Hayat Vax is COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in the UAE.

· Pfizer - BioNTech

7. Once the vaccine is selected, fill the application form, which requires the following information:

· First name

· Last name

· Date of Birth

· Emirates ID number

· Mobile number

8. Then tap ‘Next’ to fill out the second part of the application form:

Choose your Emirate

Select the preferred date for vaccination.

Once the date is selected, the app will show available centres for booking an appointment for the vaccine.

Tap the confirm tab at the bottom of the screen to select the preferred location.

You have now officially booked your vaccine appointment. An SMS will be received on your registered mobile number confirming your name, date, time and location of the vaccine appointment.

COVID-19 vaccines

The EHS vaccination centres are currently providing Sinopharm and Pfizer-BioNtech booster doses. If an individual has received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and there has been a 3 to 6 months gap from the date of second dose, the individual is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot.

While the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine is available for all individuals above 18 years old, Sinopharm is offered to all eligible people above the age of 16 years. It is important to note that the Pfizer booster dose is provided after six months from the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. On the other hand, Sinopharm will be provided to people who received both doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. For high risk groups, the duration is three months from the second dose.

Who are included in high-risk groups?

According to EHS, high-risk groups more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, include individuals above the age of 50, people in obese category, smokers, immunocompromised individuals, frontliners, and patients with chronic diseases

On December 21, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) called on all eligible community members to visit their nearest vaccination centre to take the booster dose.