COVID-19: Dubai reschedules first dose of Pfizer vaccine amid global shortage

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has announced it is rescheduling appointments for those who would like to take the first dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine amid a global supply crunch.

However, those who have already received the first dose and are awaiting their second appointment will not be affected, DHA added.

The medical authority said it would provide a new appointment for those booked in for their first dose on Saturday.

“Kindly note that the manufacturer has announced the expansion of the vaccine production capacity, which has temporarily affected several countries globally”, DHA announced on Twitter.

The health authority will communicate the new appointment for the first dose of the vaccine to customers via SMS at the earliest, the statement added.

“Customers who have completed their first dose and now need to take their second dose are advised to adhere to their appointment schedule and to reach the centre on time,” DHA advised Dubai residents.

Reports of countries across the world facing shortages because of a cut in deliveries of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have surfaced over the past few days. Currently, the UAE is offering two types of vaccines free of cost – Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinopharm.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available only for Dubai residents who are over 60 years old, people with chronic diseases, and people of determination. The vaccine is also offered to front liners in both public and private sectors and those in the vital sectors.