Skip to main content

Dubai begins administering Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Saudi Arabia and Israel have also approved the American-German vaccine.

Nurse Practitioner Terri Welch prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, at the Haxby and Wigginton Group Medical Practice in Haxby, northern England on December 22, 2020. - Europe is expected to start a massive vaccination campaign after Christmas following the United States and Britain, which have begun giving jabs with an approved Pfizer-BioNTech shot, one of several leading candidates. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
Nurse practitioner Terri Welch prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the Haxby and Wigginton Group Medical Practice in Haxby, northern England, on Dec. 22, 2020. — LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images

Dubai began a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 on Wednesday. The United Arab Emirates has already rolled out some vaccines to fight the coronavirus.

The Dubai Health Authority began administering the vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech. The process will take place in four stages: The first group to receive the vaccine will be Emirati citizens or residents who are 60 or older and those with chronic illnesses. Front line medical workers will receive the vaccine next, followed by workers in “vital sectors.” The final group will be anyone else who wishes to receive the vaccine, the state-run Emirates News Agency reported.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, made by the respective American and German companies, has gained approval from several countries around the world. The UAE government approved its use on Tuesday.

The UAE has already deployed some vaccines to combat the virus. In September, the government approved the use of an emergency vaccine for at-risk workers. Some high-ranking officials posted pictures of themselves getting vaccinated shortly thereafter, including director of strategic communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hend Al Otaiba. The UAE also approved a Chinese vaccine in December.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Continue reading this exclusive analysis

Original reporting and analysis unavailable elsewhere. Subscribe to AL-MONITOR to read this story and access everything we publish