AR
UR
In line with an announcement by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) on February 3, children above the age of five are eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19.
In line with this announcement, MoHAP opened up its slots for Pfizer vaccination for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years in February.
The decision was taken on the basis of the results of studies and strict evaluations of the vaccine. Furthermore, local assessments were conducted to ensure the compliance of the vaccine with international regulations.
UAE authorities are now administering both Sinopharm and Pfizer BioNTech vaccines to children and these vaccines are available at private and public health centres.
Age requirement for COVID-19 vaccine
As per NCEMA’s statement, the Pfizer vaccine is allowed for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. Children in this age group can receive both doses of the vaccine with the difference of 21 days between the first and second dose.
Furthermore, the Sinopharm vaccine is allowed for children between the ages of 3 and 12.
How to book the Pfizer vaccine for children
Noting the Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccine are available for children all over the UAE, people can ensure these measures to book the appointment for their children in Dubai and Abu Dhabi:
DUBAI
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) opened the booking slots for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of five and 11 years in February.
As per the DHA, parents willing to vaccinate their child must provide their child’s medical history before the inoculation. At the time of booking, parents must inform healthcare professionals of the following details:
• If the child has had fever or symptoms in the last three days.
• Complete medical history of the child.
• If the child has a weakened immune system.
• If the child bleeds easily and if your child needs medication to prevent blood clotting.
Children who are not eligible for vaccination
According to DHA, if a child has an active COVID-19 infection or previously displayed any immediate and severe allergic reaction to any vaccine or vaccine component (within four hours of taking the vaccine) then they are not eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Booking an appointment for COVID-19 vaccine
People can book an appointment through Whatsapp or the DHA app. It is also important to note that the COVID-19 vaccination is only available for citizens and Dubai residents with a valid residency visa.
Steps to be followed for booking an appointment:
1. Add the DHA number - 800 342 - to your contact list
2. Send ‘Hi’ on WhatsApp following which a virtual assistant will take you through the steps to book an appointment.
3. From the list of services select option 3 to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. You would simply need to type ‘3’ and send the message
4. After that, you will see a list of detailed information on who is eligible to receive the vaccine. If you fall into the eligible categories, type ‘1’ to send.
5. Later, Link your Medical Record Number (MRN). Your MRN number is mandatory for booking a vaccine appointment.
Steps to be followed for creating an MRN:
• In case you do not have an existing Medical Record Number (MRN) connected with your WhatsApp number, you will be directed to the DHA website - www.dha.gov.ae
• On the web page, you will be asked to link your MRN number to your Whatsapp number using this link - bit.ly/MRN_E
• On the link, you enter your Emirates ID number following which you will receive a one-time password on your registered mobile number. After confirming the password, you will receive your MRN number on the website.
6. After successfully linking your MRN number to your mobile phone number, you will be redirected to the Whatsapp chat.
7. Type ‘mrnlinked’ and send the message.
8. You will be asked to confirm the MRN number and then you will be allowed to book COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
9. Next, choose your preferred DHA vaccination centre and type the number corresponding to the DHA vaccination centre.
10. Then select the date and time for vaccination.
11. Finally, you will receive a confirmation message with your vaccination appointment details.
DHA App
1. Download the 'DHA' app available on both Apple and Android phones.
2. Select the ‘Book COVID-19 vaccine’ service on the home page.
3. Tap on ‘Proceed to book appointment'
4. You will be directed to a list of locations of health centres where you can get the vaccine. Select your preferred location.
5. Next, select the date and time available at the DHA vaccination centre.
6. Tap on ‘Preview and book appointment’
7. You will be directed to a preview of your booking which will show your name, visit type, vaccine location and date and time.
8. Tap ‘Confirm Booking’ if all details are correct.
9. You will receive an SMS confirming your vaccine appointment.
DHA COVID-19 vaccination centre locations
Here are the DHA vaccination centres offering the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11:
• Oud Metha Vaccination Centre
• Al Twar Health Centre
• Al Mizhar Health Centre
• Nad Al Hammar Health Centre
• Al Mankhool Health Centre
• Al Lussaily Health Centre
• Nad Al Sheba Health Centre
• Zabeel Health Centre
• Al Barsha Health Centre
ABU DHABI
Currently, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination doses for ages 5 to 11 are available in Mubadala Healthcare and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) health centres.
Here are the list of vaccination centres providing Pfizer doses in the emirate:
Abu Dhabi
· SEHA COVID-19 Vaccination Center - Abu Dhabi: Walk-in (Every day from 7am to 10pm)
· Al Mushrif Children's Specialty Center: Walk-in (Monday to Friday and Sunday from 7am to 10:30pm)
· Etihad Heroes health Center: Walk-in (Monday to Friday and Sunday from 7am to 10:30pm)
· Healthpoint Hospital: Appointment only
· Mubadala Health Vaccination Clinic located at Zayed Sports City (Gate 28): Appointment only
Al Ain
· SEHA COVID-19 Vaccination Center - Al Ain: Walk-in (Everyday from 7am to 10pm)
· Al Towayya Children's Specialty Center: Walk-in (Monday to Friday and Sunday from 7am to 10:30)
Al Dhafra
· SEHA COVID-19 Vaccination Center - Madinat Zayed Wedding Hall: Walk-in
· Al Dhafra Family Medicine Center (DFMC) : Walk-in
· Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 7am to 11pm
· Saturday from 9am to 9pm
· Ghyathi Hospital: Walk-in
· Mirfa Hospital: Walk-in
· Liwa Hospital: Walk-in
· Silla Hospital: Walk-in
· Delma Hospital: Walk-in
COVID-19 vaccination centres for children in other Emirates
According to the Emirates Health Services (EHS), here is a list of public health centres in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah providing Sinopharm and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children.
Ajman
· Al Hamdiya Health Centre
Monday to Thursday: 7:30am to 10pm
Friday: 7am to 12pm and 5pm to 10pm
Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 1pm
Sunday: 8am to 1pm and 5pm to 10pm
Umm Al Quwain
· Al Khazan Health Centre
Monday to Thursday and weekend: 7am to 10pm
Friday: 5pm to 10pm
· Falaj Al Mualla Health Centre
Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 7:30 am to 10pm
Friday: 5pm to 10pm
Saturday: 8am to 1pm and 5pm to 10pm.
Sharjah
· Family Health Promotion Centre (Monday to Thursday: 8am to 1:30pm and 3pm to 8pm)
· Sharjah Health Centre
· Al Dhaid Health Centre (Monday to Thursday and weekend: 8am to 10pm; Friday: 5pm to 10pm)
· Kalba Health Centre (Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 8am to 10pm; Friday and Saturday: 5pm to 10pm)
Ras Al Khaimah
· Al Maerid Health Centre
· Digdagga Health Centre (Monday to Thursday: 7:30am to 2:30pm and 5pm to 8pm)
· Al Munai Health Centre
· Kadrah Health Centre
· Saif Bin Ali Al Khatry Health Centre
· Al Nakheel Health Centre (Monday to Thursday: 7:30am to 3:30pm and 5pm to 8pm)
· Al Dhait Health Centre (Monday to Thursday: 8am to 1pm and 4:30am to 8:30pm)
Fujairah
· Al Faseel Family Health Promotion Centre
· Al Qurayyah Health Centre (Monday to Thursday: 8am to 1pm and 4:30pm to 8:30pm; Friday: 4pm to 9pm; Saturday: 8am to 12pm)
· Dadna Health Centre (Monday to Thursday: 7:30am to 2:30pm and 4pm to 10pm; Saturday: 8am to 1pm)
· Qidfaa Health Center
Monday and Tuesday: 10am to 11pm
Wednesday: 10 to 12am
Thursday: 9am to 2:30pm and 4pm to 12am
Friday: 12am to 12pm and 5pm to 12am
Saturday: 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 12am
Sunday: 9am Thursday: 9am to 2:30pm and 4pm to 12am
SOURCE: Gulf News