Getting the Chinese Vaccine Sinopharm for Covid 19 in the UAE

As an expat, with our family, home and cat and dog in the UK and Peter, my husband, working in Dubai, I am in the fortunate position to have a home in both countries and the ability to travel freely when I choose, so we can be there for our family, we don't miss births and weddings and I get the best of both worlds in regards to escaping the oppressive heat of Dubai in the Summer and the cold and short, dark days of winter in the UK.

However 2020 put a huge spanner in the works for our lifestyle, seeing me return to the UK in March for Dubai to close the borders on me until June, separating Peter and I. Due to uncertainty and permission needed for travel we decided to wait till August before travelling and Peter flew to the UK and isolated for 2 weeks on arrival followed by a week of social distanced visits with the family. By the time I flew into Dubai the following week I needed to have PCR tests before I was allowed to fly. 

I came out to Dubai on November 30th and return to the UK on January 26th. Peter had to travel to Saudi after I arrived for work for a week, but ended up spending Christmas over there in a hotel after Saudi closed its borders due to the new strain of covid that has come out of the UK.

Due to the uncertainty of the virus as it mutates and new strains are discovered and with the requirements for travel I investigated my options for the covid vaccine whilst I was in Dubai should it become mandatory for future travel. The Covid 19 app a mandatory download which contains my latest covid status and permission to return to Dubai as well as latest test date, vaccination card and ever changing up to date info.

Currently Dubai are offering over 60's, front line workers, people of determination and those with underlying health conditions the Pfizer vaccine, free of charge. There's a number to ring 800342 or you can register on the website to book an appointment. There are 6 facilities in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi are offering all UAE residents the Chinese Vaccine, Sinopharm. I was able to book on the SEHA app or I could just turn up to Dubai Parks and Resorts and hope a slot is available on arrival.

The Sinopharm Vaccination is the only vaccine available to me at the moment, it could be April before I can have the Pfizer one in Dubai and probably the end of 2021 to have it in the UK. My theory is if the ship is sinking to get in the first life boat that comes along and for me, it's the Chinese Vaccine.

There are a couple of things you need to know before having this vaccine, it has less than 90% effectiveness, however it's not proven yet if any of the vaccines will prevent you catching and spreading the virus and there is always the possibility that all the vaccines become yearly like the flu or 5 yearly like the pneumonia vaccine I had recently also.

• If you've had a live vaccination for flu or pneumonia, you are required to wait 30 days before having a covid vaccine.
• If you've had a baby within 6 months, pregnant or are planning to get pregnant within 3 months then you cannot have the vaccine either and all women under 50 are required to have a pregnancy test before the vaccine is administered. I have no idea if this happens with the other vaccines or in other countries.
• The process from arrival to vaccination and being able to leave took 3 hours, around 2 hours of that was spent in the car waiting to go in, but once it was your turn the process was straight forward.
• You show your ID on arrival then depending if you're a walk in or have an appointment you're sent one of two ways. 
• You are given a ticket number, visit the counter, ID card checked and forms handed to you, along with sticky labels with your details on and then you are directed to one of three field tents.
• You are seen by a nurse, blood pressure and oxygen levels taken, height and weight recorded, wait for urine results if required and are then seen by a Doctor who takes a medical history from you, you sign a consent form and permission for the vaccine to be administered is given
• You are then required to wait for 15 mins before blood pressure and oxygen levels are taken again and then you can go home.
• A text message is sent with the date and time of your second appointment, 2nd doses are given in a different walk in/drive through area.
• I also received a text message with a phone number I could call for advice if I had any concerns about the injection or have a reaction. 

So far so good, didn't feel the needle go in and no swelling or tenderness at injection site.

A couple of tips for you if you choose this route.

• You will be a minimum of 3 hours
• You will spend 2 of these hours in your vehicle
• You will not be allowed to get out of your car and there is little if no information available to you until it is your turn to go in
• You may or may not know when it is your turn to go in, it will depend if you've been paying attention to where the cars come from, other people being told to get back in their cars or not by security
• There are toilets but no food or drink available (water is provided once you are in the field hospital)
• Be prepared to be seen by the Nurse and the Doctor with at least one other person who is waiting for the vaccine also, you will be asked for your medical history in front of another patient, unless you request not to
• Wear your mask at all times, hand sanitiser is available at numerous places
• People will tell you that you can get the vaccine done privately for a small fee, without a queue, that is not the case over here, ask them where, how much and when? It is usually the Covid PCR test they are referring to

Why my anxiety in lockdown is getting better.

I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder GAD and depression in September 2019.

The mental symptoms I have are:

• racing thoughts
• uncontrollable over thinking
• difficulties concentrating
• feelings of dread and panic
• feeling irritable
• heightened alertness
• problems with sleep

The Physical symptoms are:

• heavy and fast breathing
• dry mouth
• fast heartbeat
• extreme tiredness and lack of energy
• dizziness

I am in a state of constant worry and have the inability to relax, switch off.
I have to run every possible scenario through, out loud, to make sense of the situation.

I have to plan for all eventualities.

I can't do anything without thinking about all the possible outcomes.

I do all of this in my head, quietly and silently. If I find myself in a situation I don't like, or it's too busy or I get overwhelmed, I will just walk away and find somewhere quiet to be to get my thoughts straight in my head. I'm not always able to do that when I'm with others, I don't have the ability to explain my thoughts rationally at the time and I just come across as difficult or argumentative and even as having a strop/tantrum as I'm not getting my own way. But that's not what I'm doing, I just need a few minutes headspace, right there and then.

Despite this being a recent diagnosis, I've just assumed this is how life is, I've always been like this.

However since lockdown started my anxieties have almost gone. The only time now I get anxious and the old and familiar feelings return is when I have to go food shopping, but I think that's a very common feeling for almost everyone right now, regardless of any diagnosis or normal patterns of behaviour.

Why have my anxieties gone? Because I'm on my own and I don't have to take part in daily life. I don't have to answer a 101 questions about my plans, where I'm going, how long I'll be, what I'm doing and why.

Obviously my husband and I discuss things, such as finances and we're in the middle of doing up our old family home, we've planned a budget, decided on what I can do, what needs doing and what hubby can do and what can wait until lockdown is over.

In the last two weeks, I've bought a car, had a plumber in, arranged and chosen new carpets to be fitted next week, had the tree in the front garden cut down. Renewed the rental contract in Dubai. I've also painted the upstairs and been working in the garden. I've been stress free throughout.

Why?

I haven't had to worry about anyone else. I've done things in my own time, if I've felt stressed I've been able to change what I'm doing and done something else.  I don't have to worry about other people, other than doing my mums online food shop, I can eat what I like, when I like, sleep and bathe at times that suit me.

But this lockdown won't last forever and I'll have to rejoin the real world at some point in time. I've had a well earned break from day to day life and the dramas of others around me. I'm relaxed, I'm off my meds and I'm hopeful of a slower lifestyle, that is chilled and relaxed from now on.

Lockdown is giving me a well needed break.

I will add, I know I'm writing this from a privileged position with not having to worry about home education and finances.

One Daily Positive - Week 12 How we're managing in Dubai with the Covid-19 virus

Wasn't sure how this week would pan out with the spread of the Virus. All schools were closed on March 8th for 4 weeks. Over the weekend, all theme parks and cinemas were closed and twitter informed me, that after Tuesday there would be no further visas issued. Malls reduced their opening hours, bars and nightclubs closed, restaurants remain open as do supermarkets. I've never seen Dubai so empty.

The roads at rush hour are empty as people are now encouraged to work from home, I've never seen it so quiet even at 2am on an airport run, there's usually a lot of traffic, I never venture into the Marina or onto the Palm by car outside of 10am- 2pm as it's chaotic and a 15 minute trip can often take over an hour at peak times. As all the tourist spots are closed or closing down, I'm taking our visitors for a drive around Dubai to show them the size of the City and the various building projects that are going on.

Airports are empty and I've been able to park right by the door at the malls. My flight was cancelled but rebooked for the afternoon flight on the same day at no charge. They're condensing flights from 3 to 1 a day, makes sense not to fly half empty planes. All flights into Dubai are now cancelled.

Spirits are high from the people I meet out, but the workers are worried about their jobs if the few remaining places left open were to close and after dinner out on Tuesday we received a text message from the restaurant to say a big Thank you for our custom at this difficult time.

Thankfully we're still in winter so spending a lot of time outside, walking, sitting in the garden and enjoying the peace and quiet, whilst still enjoying the views and maintaining social distancing.

Our son phoned from Australia, his visa expires in April. He's decided to stay put as he's already applied for a new one and his home is there, the shops are advertising for staff to help keep up with the demands for goods and he works were a transport company which will guarantee an income during this time. If the government advise foreign nationals are to leave, he will take this advice.

75 Sunday Stayed in bed till midday then a food shop, no one is panic buying and shelves are fully stocked, hand sanitisers every where for the pubic and workers and not chained down. Home to finish the cleaning and washing ready for Peter's sister and her friends arrival tomorrow morning. The weather is warming up and storms are forecast.

76 Monday An early start to the airport, we went out to the Marina and beach area for coffee, walk and lunch and had a BBQ in the garden in the evening. T1 Dubai.

77 Tuesday Peter with his sister and friend took the Ferry to the Creek, I drove up to meet them as I'd done the trip last week and after lunch on the waterfront we explored the souks. home to change then out to the Souk Madinat for dinner, it was like a ghost town. The Burj Al Arab was lit up green for St Patricks Day but the Irish bar was closed, so no celebrating. I finished the evening with a migraine, probably sun exposure and lack of fluids, I don't normally spend this much time outdoors.

78 Wednesday The medication killed the migraine, but I opted to go to the coffee shop while our visitors spent the morning on the beach, we then went off to Dubai Mall, Peter joined us in the evening for dinner. All our coffee shop and restaurant visits have been outdoors with no other customers.

79 Thursday Was supposed to be visiting the Burj Khalifa today but it's closed until the end of March, so we drove out to the markets in Masafi, Fujeriah and had lunch at the Radisson Blu, home for a quick shower and change then out for dinner on the Palm.

80 Friday Up early to take Peter's sister and her friend to the airport, flight took off on time. I rebooked my flight. Home to sort paperwork, plan for move in May, just in case I can't get back and pack my suitcase. Until these places close, or we develop any symptoms, we will continue to visit, however we are choosing places with outdoor seating, using contactless to pay and if there are too many people were walking away.

81 Saturday Spent the day rearranging the house, deciding what stays in Dubai, what is going to the UK and what we are disposing of. We went to the Marina for a walk outside and chose a coffee shop with outdoor seating that was empty. There is far more work than I thought to sort the house so will be doing downstairs tomorrow.

On the blog this week:

Why is no one applying logic to wearing masks and gloves when out? They're still spreading the virus unless they're changing their gloves as often as we are advised to wash our hands.

How complicated is your life? As an expat it is complicated by it's very nature, the Covid-19 virus has slowed us down and still have no idea if I'll be able to travel to the UK next week or not.

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Post Comment Love 20th -22nd March 2020

This is my last week hosting from Dubai before I return to the UK on Tuesday, or is it? Thankfully if flights get cancelled due to the virus, I'm not exactly stuck as I have home here, just got to hope my Mother in Law doesn't mind staying in our UK home looking after the cat and dog until I can get back.

My Sister in law and her friend have been visiting this week. I've been showing them round Dubai, it's their first visit here. They arrived on Monday, the day before Dubai stopped issuing new visas, before they even landed the Burj Khalifa announced it was closing like many theme parks, attractions and cinema. So it was wait till the last minute before getting notification about Desert Safari's and Boat trips.

Still, we've had a lovely week and Peter's sister has finally visited our home in Dubai where we've lived for the past 5 years.

I'm spending the weekend organising the house ready for our move in May, half the furniture is returning to the UK and the rest will move into a new apartment, we'll be renting for Peter to live in and for me to visit until he retires in 2-3 years time.

Stephanie and I would love to hear about what you've been up to this week.

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How complicated is your life?

I've not really been settled since we relocated abroad to South Africa in 2011, since then the last 2 kids have left home, we moved to Dubai, my father died, we had a grandchild and I moved back into our former family home, with the cat and dog joining me in February this year. There has been a lot of change over the past 9 years.

Life is just ticking over at the moment. I'm moving between the UK and Dubai each month. Not really getting a chance to settle down and get into a routine before I'm back on a plane.

In the UK I'm restoring our former family home, walking the dog and catching up with family. My current trip to Dubai has been spent with friends and family from the UK who have taken advantage of us still being out in Dubai for a holiday for our last few years in Dubai.

Last year I completed 134 hours of flying time, with a long haul flight every month as child 3 lives in Australia and we had 2 trips back to South Africa as Peter has been working there more often so I've accompanied him when I can. This year I've already completed flights in January and February with my return trip to the UK next week and another return fight booked in April/May. I'm hoping to keep my silver status with Emirates for next year as flying is a lot easier without all that queuing at check in and getting on the plane.

I'm planning to return to the UK from Dubai on March 24th. We have visitors this week and I have to sort all our furniture and personal belongings into 2 piles. 1 for the new apartment Peter will be moving to in May and the other pile for its return to the UK. I also have to apply for a ToR (Transfer of Residency) so I don't have to pay tax/duty on our personal belongings and list every item for this as well as for insurance purposes.

I will be back in Dubai to help with the move and the packing, however I'm sorting this all out now as I have no idea whether I'l be able to travel back into Dubai with Covid-19 not due to peak until the summer time.

I have a wedding in the UK in June so I've packed my dress and some summer clothes in case I can't get back out in May and I have house sitters provisionally booked who may not be able to travel to the mainland from Northern Ireland to do so.

I'm remarkably calm about the whole situation, there's no point being anything else as all this concern with travel is out of my control and it's not like I'd be stranded in either place and with this move there are no visa requirements, so no time scale other than vacating the villa on the 25th May, but I'm sure we could extend month to month if needed.