UAE: I got a COVID-19 infection after the first dose of the vaccine. What should I do?

UAE’s health authorities clarify the steps vaccine recipients need to take

Dubai: If you have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine but you contract the virus before your second dose, what happens to your second dose? Should you go for one? The UAE’s health authorities have clarified what individuals should do when faced with such a situation.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, Department Manager Communicable Diseases in Abu Dhabi Public Health Center and Official Spokesperson for the Health Sector in the UAE, said: “In case the requester was infected by the virus after the first dose s/he needs to finish the healing process and then go under the immunity test to check in case there is a need for second dose or not.”

In case the requester was infected by the virus after the first dose s/he needs to finish the healing process and then go under the immunity test to check in case there is a need for second dose or not.- Dr Farida Al Hosani, Department Manager Communicable Diseases in Abu Dhabi Public Health Center and Official Spokesperson for the Health Sector in the UAE

Earlier this week, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) also spoke to Gulf News about common questions surrounding the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Dr Hend Al Awadhi, Head of Health Promotion and Education at DHA, said: “For Pfizer-BioNtech, Sinopharm and Oxford-AstraZeneca, individuals who have been asymptomatic or had mild COVID-19 symptoms and have completed their full isolation period (minimum ten days or longer depending upon their condition) can take the second dose of the vaccine if they do not have any symptoms. Even if they need to delay the second dose by a few days due to their illness, it is fine as long as they take the second dose. They should opt for the second dose of the vaccine only after their doctor’s approval.

“Those who had to be admitted to a hospital for COVID-19 or had moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection must seek the opinion of their medical team with regard to when they should take the second dose of the vaccine.”

Where can I get an immunity test?

COVID-19 antibody tests are being offered at various locations in the UAE, including the following:

Aster Clinics

The clinics provide two types of tests:

1. Anti SARS-COV-2 Total (Nucleocapsid Detection)

Cost: Dh150

2. Anti SARS-COV-2 Total (Spike protein)

Cost: Dh250

Locations:

Aster Diagnostics Sharjah

Aster Clinic Al Nahda, Sharjah

Aster Clinic B2B (Near Al Nahda Lulu Hypermarket)

Aster Clinic Abu Shagara

Aster Clinic Muwailah

Aster Clinic Abutina

Aster Clinic Ajman

Aster Clinic Ajman Specialty

Aster Clinic King Faisal

Aster Clinic RAK

Aster Clinic Fujairah

Access Clinic Rolla

Access Clinic Muwailah

Access Clinic Ajman

Medcare Hospital, Sharjah

IgG (Immunoglobulin G) COVID-19 antibody test

Cost: Dh79

Prime Healthcare Group

Covid Total Antibody test

Cost: Dh120

Locations:

Prime Hospital, Al Garhoud

Prime Medical Center , Reef Mall

Premier Diagnostic Center, Deira

Prime Medical Center, Arabian Centre

Prime Medical Center, Al Warqa City Mall

Prime Medical Center, Burjuman Centre, Bur Dubai

Prime Medical Center, Jumeirah, Al Wasl Road, Al Ferdous Building

Prime Medical Center, Sheikh Zayed Road, Ibri House

Prime Medical Center, Barsha Heights, Onyx Tower

Prime Medical Center, Motor City, First Avenue Mall

Prime Medical Center, Al Nahda, Al Roda Tower

Prime Specialist Medical Center, Al Majaz , Safeer Market, King Faizal Road

Prime Medical Center, Al Qasimia, Bel Rashid Building

Prime Specialist Medical Center, Juraina (06 Mall)

Prime Medical Center, Ajman, Grand Mall