UAE announces 100+ walk-in vax centers

The UAE's Department of Health announced on Saturday that the free booster was available by walk-in at any of the 100+ vaccination centers across Abu Dhabi. Residents can find their nearest vaccination center by visiting doh.gov.ae.

Residents in Abu Dhabi who took the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine at least six months ago are now eligible to receive booster shots.

The third Sinopharm vaccine dose was optional, however, frontline doctors in the country have urged everyone eligible for vaccination to take the jab.

The official spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector noted that the elderly and those with chronic illnesses will be offered the booster dose after a careful assessment by the health authorities, underlining that taking a booster dose offers immunity against the many strains of the coronavirus.

The move comes a week after officials at vaccine centers across the UAE confirmed they had begun preparations to administer doses of the Sinopharm vaccine by receiving requests and recording data. 

Vaccinated patients who get infected again have so far presented very mild symptoms only, confirming the effectiveness of the approved vaccines in the UAE.