UAE residents without health cards may avail of free coronavirus vaccine, an official of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) said.
Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for the health centers and clinics sector, told in an interview with Sharjah Radio and TV’s program ‘Direct Line’, “The health situation in the UAE is reassuring, and we call on everyone to abide by the instructions and precautionary measures. Our wise leadership has provided us with the vaccine in all centers and it is provided for free to everyone, both Emiratis and expatriates, even if they do not have health cards, and there is no need for prior appointments.”
These hospitals that conduct free COVID-19 vaccine in coordination with the Ministry are spread across the country, according to a report of Gulf Today.
In Sharjah, vaccination is provided at Al Zahra Hospital, Zulekha Hospital, Central Hospital, Saudi German Hospital, Burjeel Specialty Hospital, Prime Medical Centre and Thumbay Hospital.
In Umm Al Quwain, residents may receive vaccination in government centers including Al Bait Metwahid.
In Ras Al Khaimah, they may go to Expo Centre and Al Bait Metwahid of Idhn
The assistant undersecretary emphasized that for COVID-19 vaccine to be effective, one must be inoculated with two doses of it within a time period of 21 to 28.
He also said: “The vaccine is secure and is offered to age groups from 18 years and above. There are doctors in the centres who examine visitors to make sure that the vaccine is suitable for them.”
Earlier the MoHaP clarified that getting inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory for citizens and residents alike. However, the Ministry urges the elderly people and those with people at high risk of contracting the virus to get the jab.
The UAE registered China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for public use in December 2020, after it reported an 86 per cent efficacy rate.
Dubai has also rolled out a COVID-19 vaccination drive using Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
