Pfizer Covid vaccine for children over 5 in Dubai: Why you must get your kids jabbed

Pfizer Covid vaccine for children over 5 in Dubai: Why you must get your kids jabbed

There has been a surge in coronavirus cases among children aged 5-11 years in recent months

By SM Ayaz Zakir Published: Wed 2 Feb 2022, 3:40 PM Last updated: Wed 2 Feb 2022, 3:51 PM

Dubai residents can now book appointments at private hospitals to get their children aged five and above the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

On Tuesday, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has approved Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccination for children 5-12 years old.

Doctors in the UAE have urged residents to get children vaccinated to avoid covid-19 complications.

"Vaccinations help children from getting seriously sick even if they do get Covid-19 and avoid complications," said Dr Gaurav Jadon, specialist paediatrician, NMC Speciality Hospital, Dubai.

Doctors also pointed out that a vaccinated child is less likely to spread the infection in the community as compared to an unvaccinated child.

Dr Kedar Patnekar, specialist paediatrician, Prime Medical Center, said, "Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.

"A vaccinated child will suffer from mild to very mild symptoms, just in case he or she suffers from the infection. A vaccinated child can be a part of