I need a jab for my 12-15 year old child! What’s the easiest way for students to get the Pfizer-BioNTech jab in the UAE?

Now that the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has announced that the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the age group of 12 to 15 year olds, how can you get your child vaccinated?

Probably the easiest way is to via your school – if it offering vaccinations on campus. So far only GEMS has announced it will offer this service, but we are sure other schools will follow shortly.

According to Elmarie Venter, Chief Operations and Marketing Officer, GEMS Education:

“We are already in advanced talks with the relevant health authorities and education regulators to help facilitate rollout of the vaccine for students in our schools over the coming days.

“As we did previously for students aged 16 and above, we intend to set up vaccination centres within a selection of our schools across the Emirates in order to make it as easy as possible for GEMS students to receive the vaccine. Our aim is to have medical professionals stationed in these schools, ensuring a safe and seamless process for all involved, with further details to be shared once we receive confirmation from the authorities.

“With the full support of our families, our number one priority is, and has always been, to ensure the health and safety of our school communities. By making the vaccine available to our students, GEMS parents can feel confident and secure in their decision to send their children into school, where they can learn, play and socialise in a safe and happy environment.”

GEMS Education has since confirmed the availability of jabs in schools:

Other groups such as Innoventures and Taaleem have told SchoolsCompared.com they intend to set up centres, details of which should be revealed next week.

If you cannot wait for your school, or your school has no plans to set up a centre, then you’ll need to use established facilities. A word of warning: Expect crowds…

TIP: If you have booked your spot, however, then you should be able to head to the front of the queue. 

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said on Sunday that parents can now book appointments for their children via the DHA app.

Booking In Dubai…

Use the ‘Covid-19 UAE’ app. These are the steps you need to follow:

• Download the ‘COVID-19 UAE’ app, which is available for Android and Apple devices.

• Tap on ‘Book vaccine appointment’.

• You may need to enable permissions for the app to access your location settings, which will help the app find your nearest MOHAP centre.

• Tap on ‘Residents, Workers and Families’ and then select ‘Book appointment’.

• Select the option for ‘Child 12+’ and tap on ‘Next’.

• Select Pfizer-BioNTech and then enter the details of the child, including:

• First name
• Last name
• Date of Birth
• Emirates ID
• Mobile Number

You then choose which emirate in which you wish to receive the vaccine, and book an available slot.

It is important to note that the app informs users that the second dose of the vaccine should be taken in the same emirate as the first.

You will receive a one-time password (OTP) on the mobile number provided by you.

Once you enter the password, you will receive a confirmation with the date, time and location of the vaccine appointment on the app as well as via SMS on the registered mobile number.

How to book an appointment with Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH)

Getting Pfizer in Abu Abu Dhabi

1. Al Zafaranah Diagnostic & Screening Center: To book an appointment: Call the Seha hotline on 800 50

2. Madinat Mohamed Bin Zayed Healthcare Center. To book an appointment: Call the Seha hotline on 800 50

3. Al Bahia Healthcare Center. To book an appointment: Call the Seha hotline on 800 50

4. Capital Health Screening Center Al Jazeera Sports Club Branch. To book an appointment: Call 8004959 or by email [email protected]

5. Healthpoint Hospital Abu Dhabi. To book an appointment: Call 8004959 or by email [email protected]

6. Mubadala Health Vaccination Clinic located at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. To book an appointment: Call 8004959 or by email [email protected]

7. Mubadala Health Vaccination Clinic located at Mubadala Tower Abu Dhabi. To book an appointment: Call 8004959 or by email [email protected]

Getting Pfizer in Al Ain…

1. Oud Al Touba Diagnostic & Screening Center (for Thiqa holders only). Call the Seha hotline on 800 50

2. Neima Healthcare Center. To book an appointment: Call the Seha hotline on 800 50

3. Capital Health Screening Center Al Ain Branch. To book an appointment: Call 8004959 or by email [email protected]

Getting Pfizer in the Al Dhafra Region…

1. Al Dhafra Family Medicine Center (DFMC). To book an appointment: Call the Seha hotline on 800 50