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UAE: Can I take the COVID-19 vaccine before I travel?

Will the vaccine affect PCR test results, which are required for international travel?

Published: March 11, 2021 16:42 Last updated: April 20, 2021 17:43 Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor

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If you are about to travel internationally, does taking a COVID-19 vaccine affect the PCR test results that you would be required to take for travel purposes? This was the query shared by a Gulf News reader. — Planning to travel? Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

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She said: “I'm travelling to India and I need to take a mandatory COVID-19 test 72 hours before travelling. Also I'm planning to take my first dose of vaccination before my travel date … — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

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… but I am not sure if taking the vaccine might affect my PCR test result. Even though I will take the vaccine after taking the test, I would need to do another PCR test when I land in India … — Will the vaccine affect the PCR test's result? Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

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“… Is it possible that because of the vaccine I might get a false positive on the PCR test? Please help.” — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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In a press briefing on March 2 by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), people in the UAE were informed that taking the vaccine would not result in a positive COVID-19 test result. — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

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Dr Farida Al Hosani, Spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector, asserted that the vaccine cannot be a reason for a positive result as the vaccine does not contain the active virus that causes the disease. Thus, the vaccine cannot infect you. — Image Credit: Supplied

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“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for the elderly in particular, to raise immunity and reduce the chances of complications,” Dr Farida said. — Image Credit: AFP

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