List of Approved Covid Vaccines in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most popular holidays and tourist destinations in the world. The outbreak of the covid pandemic had halted all the tourist activities but thanks to the vaccination program successfully implemented by the UAE government and authorities, the UAE has been in colour again for some time. However, this means that the UAE has tight vaccination requirements; there are only five approved covid vaccines in the UAE.
Five Approved Covid Vaccines in the UAE
The covid vaccines in the UAE are free of charge and citizens who are medically eligible can take the dose throughout the country. All five of the approved vaccines underwent great scrutiny to get approval from the authorities. Still, Sinopharm and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are preferred among others.
To make an appointment, you can use the COVID-19 UAE, DHA, or SEHA apps. These apps are monitored by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The list of all the approved vaccines is given below.
1. Sinopharm
Sinopharm was the first covid vaccine approved by the UAE. This vaccine was created in China by the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products. It contains a dead version of the pathogen that causes coronavirus.
World Health Organization, WHO approved this vaccine back in May 2020 and after a thoroughly scrutinized procedure, the UAE government also approved it in December 2020.
It is recommended to administer Sinopharm in a two-dose schedule. The time period between two doses can vary; it is recommended to have a three to four weeks gap. However, for the elderly and immunocompromised people, a booster dose is given six months later.
2. Pfizer-BioNTech
This vaccine was also approved by the UAE in December 2020. The vaccine was approved after a series of tests by the UAE health authorities and is declared effective and safe to use. This vaccine contains messenger RNA or mRNA which is injected into the cells.
The dose is also administered over two doses with the same two to three weeks gap between them. For the elderly and immunocompromised people, a booster dose can be requested after a time span of six months.
3. Sputnik V
Sputnik V was created in Russia by the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology. In Russia, this vaccine is used primarily in the battle against COVID-19 and was added to approved covid vaccines in the UAE in January 2021.
Like the above two, Sputnik V is also advised to be administered in a two-dose schedule with a gap of three to four weeks.
This vaccine contains two inactivated adenoviruses. When it is injected into the blood, human cells start creating coronavirus spike proteins. These spike proteins protect against coronavirus. However, there is one minor side effect; you can get a minor infection after getting Sputnik’s dose.
4. Oxford-AstraZeneca
This vaccine is similar to Sputnik V as it prepared the body in its fight against coronavirus by making it believe that it has been actually infected by it. After taking the dose, you might get a minor infection.
Oxford-AstraZeneca is also given in two doses, spaced three to four weeks apart. In the UAE, this vaccine is approved only for residents who are 18 years or older.
5. Moderna
Moderna vaccine is also messenger RNA or mRNA, like Pfizer-BioNTech. It contains genetic instructions which help the cells in the human body to create coronavirus spike proteins. This vaccine was approved by the UAE in July 2021, making it the most recently approved covid vaccine.
If a person contracts coronavirus, the immune response by the genetically modified cells produces coronavirus spike proteins that protect them from getting the infection.
This concludes our guide. Please note that people who are infected by the virus, people who have a previous record of being allergic to vaccines, pregnant women, and children under 16 are exempted from getting the corona vaccine. Also, do request your vaccination certificate if you are vaccinated!
Even if you are vaccinated, you’re expected to follow the covid protocols in place for your’s and everyone else’s safety. So make sure to follow these rules.