Dubai: Have you received both doses of your COVID-19 vaccine and are looking to get a booster dose? The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has released a breakdown of how long you need to wait before you are eligible to receive a booster dose, based on the vaccine you have received. The guidelines were posted on the Ministry’s social media channels on Wednesday, January 5.
When should I get a booster shot?
Depending on the vaccine you have originally received, MOHAP has provided the time period and age group eligible for the booster dose.
Sinopharm
If your original vaccine is Sinopharm, depending on your age and health MOHAP has provided two different time periods.
Individuals above the age of 16 years of age who have chronic diseases and people above the age 50 years old can get a Sinopahrm booster dose after three months.
Those who are above 16 years old, and do not have any comorbidities should receive their booster shot after six months.
Individuals who have received the Sinopharm vaccine, can get a booster dose of the same vaccine or a different vaccine.
Pfizer-BioNTech
For the Pfizer and BioNTech, all individuals above the age of 18 years old will get one booster dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine after six months from the date of their second dose.
Sputnik V
For those who initially received the Sputnik V vaccine, the booster dose is due six months after the date of their second dose. This is applicable for all individuals above the age of 18 years, who will get one booster shot of Sputnik V.
Why should I get a booster dose?
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and health authorities around the UAE have urged residents and citizens to get a booster shot, and have reiterated its importance in increasing the society’s immunity against COVID-19 variants and genetic mutations.
If you want an in-depth analysis on why booster shots are important, read our report on what global studies have stated here.
How do I book an appointment for a booster dose?
You can book your COVID-19 booster shot appointment through Dubai Health Authority (DHA), SEHA (Abu Dhabi Healthcare Company) or Emirates Health Services (EHS).
How to book COVID-19 booster shot in Dubai?
Booster doses for the Pfizer – BioNtech are available by appointment basis only. Appointments can be booked through the DHA app or by calling the DHA contact centre – 800342.
Documents needed
When you arrive at a DHA vaccination centre, you would need to provide the following documents:
For Emiratis
- Emirates ID
For Dubai visa holders
- Emirates ID
- Passport + Dubai visa copy
Steps to book an appointment through the DHA App
- Your MRN is required when booking your COVID-19 vaccine appointment
- Visit the DHA website www.dha.gov.ae or this direct link - https://bit.ly/MRN_E
- Enter your Emirates ID number.
- Enter the OTP received to your registered mobile number
- Enter your details
- Submit your request
COVID-19 Vaccination Centres at DHA that provide the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot:
One Central COVID-19 Vaccination Centre
Location
Al Garhoud Medical Fitness Centre
Location
Al Karama Medical Fitness Centre
Location
Za'abeel Health Centre
Location
Al Mizhar Health Centre
Location
Al Barsha Health Centre
Location
Nad Al Hamar Health Centre
Location
Albiet Metwahid Hall in Al Warqa
Location
How to book a COVID-19 booster shot through EHS?
If you live in Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman or Fujairah, you can get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot through EHS vaccination centres. There are over 20 EHS vaccination centres, click here to find the closest EHS vaccination centre in your Emirate.
Steps for booking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment:
To book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine at an EHS facility, you would need to call the EHS hotline - 800 8877 – or through the COVID-19 EHS app, which is available for Apple, Android and Huawei devices
To book an appointment through the toll free number, follow these steps:
- Call 800 8877.
- Dial 1 for Arabic or 2 for English.
- After selecting your preferred language, dial 1 for appointment booking services.
- You will then be transferred to an operator, who will book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
To book an appointment on the app, follow these steps:
To book an appointment online download the ‘Covid-19 EHS’ app follow these steps:
1. Tap on ‘Book Vaccine Appointment’, which is a light pink tab.
2. There are three options:
- Citizens, Residents and Students.
- Senior Citizens at home vaccination.
- Bulk appointment for companies.
3. Choose the category that applies to you.
4. Tap on the ‘Citizens, Residents and Students’ option.
5. Then tap on the ‘Book Appointment’ tab.
6. Then, you will have to choose your ‘appointments category’. There are six options:
- Booster dose
- GCC Nationals
- Resident
- Student (12 years and above)
- UAE Nationals
- Worker
7. Choose the vaccine you prefer. There are three vaccine choices:
- Sinopharm BIBP (inactivated) - Sinopharm BIBP COVID-19 vaccine.
- Sinopharm HYT (inactivated) – Hayat-Vax. Hayat Vax is COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in the UAE.
- Sinopharm HYT (inactivated) – Hayat-Vax. Hayat Vax is COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in the UAE.
What is an inactivated vaccine? Click here for a comprehensive breakdown on the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine.
8. After choosing your preferred vaccine, fill the application form. Enter the following information:
- First name
- Last name
- Date of Birth
- Emirates ID number
- Mobile number
9. Then tap ‘Next’ and fill out the second part of the application form:
- Choose your Emirate.
- Select the dates within which you would prefer to get the vaccine. When you choose your preferred dates, the app will
- Tap the confirm tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Your vaccine appointment is now officially scheduled. You will receive an SMS on your registered mobile number stating your name, date, time and location of the vaccine appointment.
How to book COVID-19 booster dose in Abu Dhabi?
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) is providing COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to children, senior citizens and residents at all SEHA vaccination centres.
How to book a COVID-19 booster dose on the SEHA app
1. Download the ‘SEHA’ app on the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the app, and tap on the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment icon.
3. After that, you will be presented with three options.
- Sinopharm vaccine
- Pfizer BioNTech
- Booster
Choose the ‘booster’ category and then tap Next.
4. After that, fill out the application form:
- Date of Birth
- Which vaccine you have already taken – Sinopharm or Pfizer-BioNTech.
- Type in the number of doses you have taken.
- Fill in the date of your second dose.
5. After the application form is filled, you will be presented with a list COVID-19 vaccination centres in Abu Dhabi as well as the option to receive either the Sinopharm or Pfizer booster shot.
6. Fill in the second part of the application form – ‘Patient Details’ – where you would need to enter the following details:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Mobile Number
- Email address
- Emirates ID
7. Select Save and book the vaccine appointment by choosing the following:
- Select the available dates within which you would prefer to get the vaccine.
- Choose your city – Abu Dhabi
- If you have chosen the Pfizer booster dose, it is only available to Abu Dhabi residents but Sinopharm is available in other emirates.
- If you choose Pfizer booster dose, there will only be one location for the vaccination centre – SEHA COVID-19 Vaccination Centre – Abu Dhabi (Zayed Port). Sinopharm has more location options.
- Tap on Search. You will then be presented with different time slots at the vaccine centres. Once you have chosen your preferred timing, click on the green tab labelled – ‘Book now’.
- Once you have completed the appointment booking process, you will get an OTP (One Time Password) on your registered phone number verifying your identity and appointment.
- Once that is completed, your appointment is done, and the app will show the date, time and location of the vaccine appointment and the type of vaccine booster dose you will receive.
List of SEHA COVID-19 vaccination centres:
Al Bahia Healthcare Center
Location
Baniyas Healthcare Center
Location
Al Bateen Healthcare Center
Location
Al Falah Healthcare Center
Location
Madinat Khalifa Healthcare Center
Location
Madinat Mohamed Bin Zayed Healthcare Center
Location
Al Maqtaa Healthcare Center
Location
Al Mushrif Children's Specialty Center
Location
Al Samha Healthcare Center
Location
Al Zafaranah Diagnostic & Screening Center
Location
SEHA Drive-Through Screening Center - Al Bahia
Location
SEHA Drive-Through Screening Center - Al Wathba
Location
SEHA Drive Through Screening Center – Al Manhal
Location
SEHA Drive Through Screening Center – Rabdan
Location
SEHA Drive-Through Screening Center - Al Shamkha
Location
SEHA Drive-Through Screening Center - Al Madina
Location
