Dubai launches free COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine drive

An extensive and free COVID-19 vaccination campaign is being rolled out in Dubai from Wednesday.

According to a statement released by Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management on Twitter, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available free of charge.

#Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management: Extensive vaccination campaign against Covid-19 kicks off in Dubai on Wednesday. Vaccination will use Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine and is free of charge.

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 22, 2020

The first batch of the vaccine arrived in Dubai from Brussels on Tuesday night. 

#Dubai receives first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccines transported from Brussles to Dubai on @Emirates SkyCargo flight. The shipment was offloaded and cleared on priority basis on arrival at Emirates’ dedicated SkyPharma facility. pic.twitter.com/RODHg4MslR

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 22, 2020

The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced the emergency registration of the vaccine late on Tuesday.

"Authorising the registration of the vaccine comes after Pfizer had submitted all required documents in compliance with the measures and systems in place in the UAE and in accordance with international safety and effectiveness standards," said Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Public Health Policy & Licensing.

(MoHAP) has announced the emergency registration of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID -19 vaccine as part of the UAE's comprehensive and integrated efforts to ensure increased prevention levels against the pandemic and to provide all tools to ensure public health and safety pic.twitter.com/yWDABcauDA

— وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع - MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) December 22, 2020