Vaccines against COVID-19 in the UAE
There are five vaccines in the UAE against the COVID-19 infection. They are: Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik V, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna. The UAE is offering these vaccines to its citizens and residents free of charge.
Book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine
Vaccines against COVID-19 are available throughout the UAE, free of charge for medically eligible citizens and residents, according to the priority announced by the UAE’s health authorities from time to time.
Book an appointment with any one of the authorities:
- Emirates Health Services (EHS) through the COVID-19 EHS app available on Google Play and App Store
- SEHA through the SEHA app available on Google Play and App Store for vaccination at their drive-through centres and temporary sites across the UAE
- Dubai Health Authority through the DHA app available on App Store and Google Play or the call centre by calling on the toll-free number 800-342.
Vaccines will be administered to the following people on priority. They are eligible to walk into most vaccination centres and clinics without an appointment:
- UAE nationals and their domestic helpers
- senior citizens and residents (those who are 60 years old and above)
- people of determination
- people with chronic illnesses
- those working in the health and education centres.
What are the procedures to get the vaccine? What are the possible symptoms after vaccination?
Watch this video on steps and priorities to take the vaccine.
Find out more details in COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Guide (PDF, 2.45 MB) which was released by DHA and from the website of Weqaya.
For emergencies or any side effects from the vaccine, call MoHaP on 800-111-1.
Note: For latest news and updates about COVID-19 vaccines, location and appointments, follow the health authorities on Twitter via the following handles:
Find more information about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters on the website of Emirates Health Services (EHS).
Related links
COVID-19 vaccine for children
In November 2021, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) approved the emergency local use of Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 following clinical trials and a strict assessment.
In May 2021, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) approved the emergency local use of Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and15 following clinical trials and a strict assessment.
As of May 2021, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is administering Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to the following groups on priority:
- children with chronic diseases
- those who live with vulnerable family members
- those living with members who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical reasons.
Children are exempt from taking the vaccine if they have any of the following conditions:
- experiencing an active COVID-19 infection
- needing a specialised treatment for COVID-19
- experienced severe allergic reaction to any vaccine or vaccine component within four hours of taking it.
In Abu Dhabi, you do not need an appointment for your children for the Pfizer vaccine. Department of Health - Abu Dhabi provides the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to children aged 12 years and above at all of Mubadala and SEHA vaccination centres.
Exemption from COVID-19 vaccine
Criteria for exemption from COVID-19 vaccine
The following categories of people are exempt from COVID-19 vaccine according to Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH):
- those who are currently infected with COVID-19
- participants of the vaccine’s clinical trials
- pregnant women
- those who were previously infected with COVID-19 (after medical evaluation)
- those who received the COVID-19 vaccine outside the UAE
- those who have experienced severe allergies to vaccines or components of vaccines or those who may have an illness that conflicts with the vaccine
- children below the age of 16.
Read about exempted categories in Dubai in this COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Guide (PDF, 5 MB).
How to apply for COVID-19 vaccine exemption certificate
In Abu Dhabi, you can apply for an exemption certificate by visiting a medical centre. The centre will submit a report to Department of Health - Abu Dhabi for approval. You will receive a text message on whether your application is approved. If approval is granted, it will be reflected on the Al Hosn app.
In Dubai, contact the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) at toll free number 800342 to learn how to apply for vaccine exemption certificate.
If you are a UAE citizen or resident from the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain or Ras Al Khaimah, and are eligible for exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine, you can apply for a COVID-19 vaccine exemption certificate to MoHaP.
Vaccination centres
View the list of EHS vaccination centres in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.
The vaccines are also available at several private hospitals across the UAE free of charge.
View SEHA's vaccination centres.
Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine
On 9 December 2020, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) announced that it had officially registered the ‘Beijing Institute of Biological Products’ inactivated vaccine’, known as the ‘Sinopharm' vaccine which was developed jointly with Sinopharm - CNBG (China National Biotec Group).
A large multi-country Phase 3 trial has shown that 2 doses, administered at an interval of 21 days, have an efficacy of 79 per cent against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection 14 or more days after the second dose. Vaccine efficacy against hospitalization was 79 per cent.
Who can get the vaccine?
Priority is given to citizens and residents above the age of 18, particularly, the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.
Sinopharm vaccine requires two doses. The first dose is taken following an assessment of the patient’s health and the second dose is taken after a period averaging between 21 to 28 days.
Where can I get the Sinopharm vaccine?
Sinopharm vaccine is available throughout the UAE.
Refer to the list of COVID-19 vaccination centres in:
The vaccine is also available at SEHA's drive-through centres and the following locations:
- Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Abu Dhabi City - from 7 am to 10 pm
- Al Ain Convention Center, Al Ain City - from 7 am to 10 pm
- Dubai Parks & Resort, Dubai - from 9 am to 5 pm
- Madinat Zayed Wedding Hall, Al Dhafra - from 8 am to 7:30 pm.
Find more information on SEHA’s website.
View the list of DHA vaccination centres in Dubai.
The vaccine is also available at several private hospitals across the UAE, free of charge.
Earlier, in September 2020, the UAE authorised the emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccine for frontline workers, as they are the most at risk of getting COVID-19. The Sinopharm vaccine was used in the UAE’s ‘4Humanity’ campaign, which hosted the first global clinical Phase-III of an inactivated vaccine to combat COVID-19 back in July 2020.
Contact MoHaP for queries and appointments.
Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine
On 22 December 2020, MoHaP announced the emergency registration of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine and on the next day, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) started its free vaccination drive against COVID-19 using this vaccine.
Who is the vaccine for?
The first phase of Dubai’s campaign targets the following:
- Emiratis and Dubai residents who are aged 60 years and above
- People who are 18 years and above, and suffer from chronic diseases
- People of determination
- Frontline workers.
Vaccination consists of two doses, taken separately. The gap between the two doses is 21 days.
Where can I get the Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine?
Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available at these healthcare centres across Dubai.
The vaccine was first approved for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration on 11 December 2020 and later by World Health Organisation (WHO) on 31 December 2020.
Find out more details in COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Guide (PDF, 2.45 MB) which was released by DHA.
Related links from Weqaya:
Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine
On 21 January 2021, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced its approval of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in the UAE. The vaccine is based on human adenoviral vector-based platform. As of April 2021, it's effectiveness against COVID-19 is 97.6 per cent, according to analysis of data from 3.8 million vaccinated people in Russia.
The vaccine was registered under the emergency use authorisation based on Russia’s Phase III clinical trials on more than 33,000 participants. The UAE also participated in the vaccine’s phase III clinical trials with more than 1,000 volunteers who received the first dose under the supervision of MoHAP and Department of Health - Abu Dhabi.
Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine was developed by The Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology and Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
Emergency use of COVID-19 vaccine approved for heroes in the first line of defence
In September 2020, the UAE Government authorised the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine; making it available to heroes in the first line of defence. The decision aims to protect the heroes since they are at most risk due to the nature of their work. The use of the vaccine will be fully compatible with the regulations and laws that allow a faster review of licensing procedures.
The evaluation of the vaccine for emergency use was based on:
- a declaration by the global health authorities of an emergency leading to a serious or life-threatening disease or condition
- the availability of scientific evidence that proves the effectiveness of the product intended for emergency response
- the safety of the use of the vaccine
- the evidence that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks.
The evaluation was carried out for emergency use, taking into account the following:
- the target groups
- product characteristics
- preclinical and clinical study data
- population study and all relevant available scientific evidence.
Read news coverage on WAM.
National Policy on Vaccinations
Also, read about the National Policy on Vaccinations.
