Dubai Approves Longer Intervals Between AstraZeneca Vaccine Doses

By: Najla Banimalek, Staff Reporter, The Pawprint

On Tuesday, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced that it was approving a longer 10 week interval period between doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine.

DHA took to Twitter to post the following announcement:

“Based on recent studies from the University of Oxford on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and as per the recommendations of the WHO, DHA has approved a 10-week interval between the 1st & 2nd dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.”

The recent studies showed a higher efficiency rate and higher acquired immunity when they increased the interval between the first and second dose. 

“All those who are due for a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine will receive an SMS text message with the date and location of their vaccination appointment,” the DHA added.

The AstraZeneca vaccine was initially offered in the UAE on February 2nd, and is the fourth vaccine next to Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Sputnik V.

These decisions also fall in line with the UAE’s “Post Covid-19 Strategy” to eradicate the coronavirus as quickly as possible, and keep its citizens safe.