COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2. It is very contagious and the effect of the infection can vary from mild to severe symptoms.

Older adults, and people with underlying medical problems like heart diseases, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, kidney diseases, liver diseases and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

COVID-19 spread when a person inhales droplet from an infected person when coughing, sneezing, or talking. COVID-19 virus can also be caught from touching a surface or an object contaminated with the virus, and then touching mouth, nose or eyes.

1. Vaccines protect children and adults from some infectious diseases and their serious complications, and thus lead to a healthy society free from these infectious diseases and epidemics.
2. Vaccines achieve their purpose by protecting individuals and communities.
3. Vaccines are the best and most successful medical interventions.
4. Achieving the indicators of the national preventive programs for disease eradication and elimination, as it can be prevented with vaccines, based on global strategies and best practices.
5. Health system development and the quality of community life.

The current approved COVID-19 vaccines in the country are SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Inactivated Vaccine (Sinopharm) and mRNA (Pfizer/BioNTech).

The SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell) is an inactivated biotechnology product intended to provide protection against COVID-19.

The vaccine can be given to everyone starting from the age of 16 years. However, it is recommended to give the priority for vaccination to those at highest risk of contracting the infection and those who are at risk of serious complications of infection, when being infected including the following priorities:

• People aged 50 years and above
• People with chronic condition/s such as:
  1. Heart diseases
  2. Diabetes
  3. Chronic lung diseases
  4. Kidney diseases
  5. Liver diseases
  6. Cancer

Two doses (3 – 4 weeks interval).

Vaccination is optional.

It is important to keep record of the second dose appointment and adhere to attend, to ensure the required level of immunity and the maximum benefit from the vaccine. It is recommended to take the second dose in the same vaccination site where the first dose was taken.

Two doses of the vaccine should be taken from the same manufacturer to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness.

No, it is not safe to take different types of COVID-19 vaccine.

Yes, vaccination is safe for older adults and people with chronic conditions. It is recommended to provide the vaccine to these groups as they are at risk of developing complication when infected with COVID-19. The medical team will evaluate in case there is a reason to prevent getting vaccinated.

This will be evaluated by the medical team. You need to inform the team of all medications you are taking and if you have allergies of any kind.

1. Participants of Phase III of the clinical trial.
2. Pregnant and lactating women and women planning to get pregnant.
3. People with certain conditions (based on evaluation of the medical team).
4. People with severe allergic reaction to any component in the vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine will reduce the chance of COVID-19 virus and spread infection to others. When many people are vaccinated, COVID-19 virus is less likely to spread in the community.

Immunity against COVID-19 virus does not develop until few weeks after receiving the second dose.

Some people may be exposed to COVID-19 virus before getting the benefit from the vaccine.

The vaccine is like any other medicine and could cause some side-effects. The risk of severe reaction is rare. Some minor side effects may occur following a vaccination, including:

1. Pain, tenderness, redness, and pruritus at the vaccination site
2. Fever, headache, fatigue
3. Muscle pain and arthralgia
4. Lethargy

Generally, the mild symptoms subside without treatment. If symptoms seem to get worse, seek advice from a healthcare provider to get the required treatment.

You can go to the nearest healthcare center or hospital or contact health authority call center.

After you have had the first dose you, make sure you keep a record of the second dose appointment. It is important to have the two doses of the vaccine to get the optimal vaccine effectiveness.

It is also important to continue following all the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It is better to wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine.

Yes, if the infection was mild or without symptoms, people will be vaccinated. However, if the infection was moderate or severe that required hospitalization, the case will be assessed by the assigned medical team.

COVID-19 vaccination is an important measure to help stopping the pandemic. However, combination of getting vaccinated and following all the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will offer the best protection from COVID-19 virus.

The flu vaccine does not protect you from COVID-19. Both vaccines are important, but should be taken separately, at least two weeks apart.

Minimum interval between a dose of COVID-19 vaccine and any other dose of vaccine is from 2 – 4 weeks depends on the vaccine type.

Yes, all health services related to vaccination are free of charge.

The vaccination service is being provided at various public and private healthcare facilities as well as “Majalis” and vaccination centers.

No, they cannot for the time being.

Exemption from quarantine is applied 28 days after receiving the second dose. It is important to do the required tests (PCR):

1. Travel arrivals: upon arrival, day 4 and day 6.
2. Close contacts of positive COVID-19 case: do the rest at nearest authorized testing facility within 24-48 hours of receiving the notification/ text message.

Exemption is applied 28 days after receiving the second dose and getting the letter (E) in Alhosn App.

No, as to now you must continue to adhere to all the recommended precautionary measures to reduce the spreading of COVID-19 virus such as wearing mask, physical distance and washing hands.

Until now there is no enough information regarding this as it is a new vaccine.

You may contact call center of the authority:

1. MOHAP Call Center 80011111
2. Estijaba Abu Dhabi Call Center 8001717
3. DHA Call Center 800342