What is Covid-19 Vaccine?

Covid - 19 vaccine aims to provide immunity against COVID- 19 virus by enhancing the immune system to fight the virus whenever exposed to it in the future.

Who Can Take vaccination?

Vaccination can be given to all above the age of 16 and it is recommended to give priority to individuals who are most likely to develop complications of the disease.

How many Doses are required for the vaccination?

Vaccination comprises of two doses, taken separately with a gap of 3 to 4 weeks between the doses.

Does the vaccine have side effects?

It is normal to have minor side effects during the first week after receiving the vaccine and these symptoms are common when taking any type of vaccine.

I may not be available to take my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Can I reschedule my vaccine for another day?

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.

Is it possible to take another dose of the vaccine from another manufacturer?

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

Is it safe to take more than one type of covid–19 vaccine?

No, it is not safe to take different types of Covid – 19 vaccine.

Is vaccination safe for older adults and people with chronic conditions?

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 COVID19-. The medical team will evaluate in case there is a reason to prevent getting vaccinated.

Is vaccination safe for people taking medications?

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.

Is the vaccination important in general?

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

If there are more than one COVID-19 vaccine type available, will I be able to choose which vaccine to take?

- The COVID-19 vaccine that you receive will be based on the availability of the different vaccines at the time of your vaccination. - You will be advised as to the type of vaccine that you will receive at the time of your vaccination. - All of the available vaccines are effective at preventing severe COVID-19 infection. - The safety and efficiency of all vaccines used are assured, given all of the available clinical and scientific studies. Information on vaccines and any side effects are closely and continually monitored by the concerned health authorities.

What is Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and how it works?

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine uses messenger RNA (mRNA). The vaccine gives cells instructions for how to make a harmless piece of COVID-19 protein. After vaccination, the immune system will begin building an immune response and making antibodies.

Who should take the vaccine?

The vaccine can be given to everyone starting from the age of 16 years. However, the priority will be given to UAE nationals and residents who did not take any COVID-19 vaccine previously.

Is the vaccination mandatory?

Vaccination is optional; however, we advise everyone eligible take the vaccine to get the protection against COVID-19 illness and its complication.

Is the vaccination free for the targeted groups?

Yes, all health services related to COVID-19 vaccination are free of charge.

Where will the vaccination service be provided?

The vaccination service is being provided at healthcare facilities under “SEHA” as well as Mubadala Health Facilities. For more information about vaccination centers.

I may not be available to take the second dose, can the appointment be changed to another day?

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 center where the first dose was taken. The second dose of the vaccine should be administered as close to the second dose schedule as possible. If for any reason there is an unavoidable delay, contact the vaccination center to reschedule the appointment.

Is it possible to take another dose of the vaccine from another manufacturer?

Two doses of the vaccine should be taken from the same manufacturer to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness. There is not enough information about the safety of mixing between two different vaccines so far.

Is it safe to take more than one type of COVID-19 vaccine?

The safety and efficacy of taking different types of COVID-19 vaccines are currently being evaluated. There is not enough information about the safety of mixing between two different vaccines so far.

Is vaccination safe for older adults and people with chronic conditions?

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.

Is vaccination safe for people taking medications?

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.

Can pregnant women and lactating women get Pfizer – BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

There are some safe options for breastfeeding woman depending on the age of the child. Breastfeeding woman can consult the doctor to provide details about available options. As for pregnant women, there is not enough information about the safety of the vaccine in pregnant women.

Who should not take the vaccine?

- Participants of Phase III of the clinical trial. - Recipients of a single or multiple doses of any other COVID-19 vaccines. - Pregnant women. - People with certain conditions (based on evaluation of the medical team). - People with severe allergic reaction to any component in the vaccine.

Will the vaccine give protection from COVID-19 virus?

The COVID-19 vaccine will reduce the chance of transmission and spread of COVID-19 infection to others. When many people are vaccinated, COVID-19 virus is less likely to spread in the community. Sufficient immunity against COVID-19 virus does not develop until about two weeks after receiving the second dose. Some people may be exposed to COVID-19 virus before getting the maximum benefit from the vaccine. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination and good immunity, but symptoms are more likely to be less severe.

What are the side effects of the vaccine

The vaccine is like any other medicine, could cause some side-effects, however, the risk of severe reaction is rare. Some minor side effects may occur following a vaccination, including: - Pain, swelling, redness, at the vaccination site. - Fever, chills, headache, tiredness, nausea. - Muscle pain, joint pain. - Feeling unwell. - Some people might develop other side effects such as signs of severe allergic reaction. Generally, the mild symptoms subside without treatment. If symptoms seem to get worse, seek advice from a healthcare provider to get the required treatment.

What do I do after taking vaccine?

After you have had the first dose, 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 further spread of COVID-19. It is important to take the second dose in the same vaccination center where the first dose was taken.

Can I stop taking precautionary measures after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

No, you must continue to adhere to all the precautionary measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Will the vaccine provide immunity forever or should be repeated, e.g. yearly?

The concerned health authorities are currently working to determine the periodicity of taking the vaccine, as in the case with other vaccines, such as the seasonal influenza vaccine, to ensure adequate immunity of people. It is difficult to determine the exact period of protection provided by the vaccine at this stage, because the vaccination rounds only began recently and the vaccine’s efficacy may differ from one person to another.

Can I get vaccinated if I am sick?

It is better to consult your doctor.

Can people with history of COVID-19 infection be vaccinated?

People with current COVID-19 infection can receive the vaccine after clinical recovery to around four weeks after onset of symptoms or four weeks from the first confirmed positive result in those who are asymptomatic. Recipients of passive antibody therapy, who received the therapy as part of COVID-19 treatment, should wait 90 days before getting vaccinated with Pfizer BionNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Does Pfizer – BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine changes our DNA?

The mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept. The body breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA shortly after they have triggered the immune system. Therefore, the vaccine does not change our DNA nor does it cause any effect on our genes.

Does Pfizer – BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine dermal fillers.

Persons who have received dermal fillers may develop swelling at or near the filler injection site, usually face or lips following recipient of the vaccine. The swelling appears to be temporary and resolves with medical treatment. COVID-19 vaccine can be administered to people who have received injectable dermal fillers who have no contraindications or precautions for vaccination. Contact your healthcare provider if swelling develops at or near the site of dermal filler following vaccination.

Should a woman reschedule a “mammogram” appointment if recently received COVID-19 vaccine?

The vaccine can cause swollen lymph nodes under the arm in which the vaccine was given. This swelling is a normal sign that the body is building protection against COVID-19. However, it is possible that this swelling could cause a false reading on a mammogram. Therefore, it is recommended to wait 4 – 6 weeks after the second dose before having a mammogram, as long as the delay does not have a negative impact on the woman’s health.

Can I transmit COVID-19 to anyone else, after I have had the vaccine?

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.

What is the time interval between taking Pfizer – BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and any other vaccine?

Minimum interval between a dose of Pfizer – BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and any other dose of vaccine for another disease is 2 weeks.

Is the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine better than other vaccines currently available in the UAE?

All of the vaccines authorized for use in the UAE are safe and effective in preventing serious COVID-19 infection. As the different types of vaccines being developed across the world are still new and studies are ongoing, it is important to keep up-to-date with provided information by the concerned health authorities in the UAE.

Can participants of Phase III of the clinical trials be vaccinated?

No they cannot for the time being.

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Medcare, a premium healthcare network that operates out of the United Arab Emirates, is a venture of Aster DM Healthcare, a global healthcare group with 317 medical establishments across 9 countries, including the GCC, India and Africa. Committed to providing high quality, personalised medical care to every patient, Medcare lives by its simple promise: We’ll Treat You Well