With the surge in COVID-19 patients globally, several countries, including UAE, have introduced its vaccines to the general public. Abu Dhabi, being the capital of UAE, has been the first city of the region to have witnessed the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine, namely Sinopharm, which has now been officially registered for public use.
As reported by ArabNews, Sinopharm is administered in two doses, each 21 days apart. This particular vaccine uses an inactive form of the coronavirus and produces antibodies, which can eventually prevent you from being infected by the virus.
Apart from this, the three other vaccines that Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE has introduced to its people are:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Sputnik V
- Oxford-AstraZeneca
How to get the corona vaccine in Abu Dhabi?
Residents can simply book an appointment on any of the following health service portals:
- Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP)
- Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), which also has drive-through centers across UAE
After an appointment is made, you can go to a nearby vaccination center, the list of which is present on the Department of Health’s website.
Nevertheless, as mentioned by Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, the priority might be given to certain target groups:
- Residents and senior citizens
- People with chronic diseases
- People of determination
- Frontline health workers
Conversely, this service is available free of charge for all members of the community except:
- Pregnant women
- Nursing mothers
- Those with immunodeficiency diseases
- Women who’re ready to conceive within 3 months
- Children under 16 years of age
- Those who’re allergic to any component present in the vaccine
How does the appointment work?
For the first dose, you’ll have to pay a visit to a doctor at a vaccination center where your health would be checked and evaluated after which you’d get vaccinated. Then, for about 30 minutes you’d be observed for any side effects. However, 21-28 days after, you’ll have to come in for your second dose and repeat the process.
Nonetheless, the vaccine might result in a few mild symptoms like headache, fever, muscle pain and you may also feel tired, but these can all go away without any treatment, so you need not worry about it.
PCR Test in Abu Dhabi:
Apart from getting vaccinated, being tested is also highly important during these times. Be it a tourist or a resident, with tighter rules in place, one needs to get a PCR test done regularly to curb the spread of this pandemic.
However, as reported by Hotelier, to get a PCR test done you can consult the following health services:
- SEHA provides free testing services at drive-through centers to UAE nationals, citizens, and residents that are above 50 years of age, and to people with chronic diseases.
- The Galleria at Al Maryah Island and MediClinic Al Noor Hospital provide walk-in services, along with booked appointments.
- ServiceMarket offers you at-home PCR test services whereby you can avoid long queues and crowded places with potential corona patients
Lastly, for any emergency corona-related queries feel free to contact the following health services:
- MoHAP – 80011111
- DoH – 8001717
