The UAE government provided a media briefing yesterday, Tuesday, to highlight the latest developments and cases related to the "COVID-19" virus in the country, along with the precautionary measures taken to prevent the virus. Dr. Farida Al Hosani, the official spokesperson for the health sector in the UAE, stated that the national vaccination campaign continues to achieve its goals, with over 73.88% of the eligible population (those over 16 years old) vaccinated, and 80.33% of the senior citizens aged 60 and above vaccinated, as this group is prioritized due to their higher susceptibility to the disease and its complications.
She added that the total number of doses administered to date has exceeded 11.5 million doses, with a vaccination distribution rate of 117.23 doses per 100 people. Moreover, the number of tests conducted has surpassed 47 million, marking an achievement for the UAE as one of the most successful global models in combating the pandemic, as reported by Al Khaleej newspaper.
**Third Dose**
Dr. Al Hosani mentioned that as part of the country's proactive strategy to provide maximum protection for the community, the option for an additional booster dose of the Sinopharm vaccine has been made available for individuals who were previously vaccinated and have completed more than 6 months since their second dose, prioritizing seniors and individuals with chronic diseases.
She also noted that analysis of the national vaccination campaign data shows that vaccine effectiveness has contributed to reducing hospital admissions and length of stay, as well as the need for ventilators, which supports the acceleration of recovery and limits the spread of the virus. She explained that all vaccines undergo stringent safety tests and go through several phases, including clinical trials, before being approved for use. The four vaccines available in the country were selected based on precise scientific criteria and comply with the regulations and laws in place, meeting all safety and security requirements.
She emphasized that relevant national committees are continuously updated on global developments regarding vaccine advancements, which are periodically evaluated. Vaccines are approved for full use or for emergency use according to the regulations and laws in the country, following evaluations of their safety and efficacy.
**Vaccination of Children with Pfizer**
Dr. Al Hosani continued that the Ministry of Health and Prevention has approved the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) for the age group of 12 to 15 years based on clinical study results and the rigorous evaluation process followed for emergency use authorization, as well as local assessments adhering to the approved regulations. This approval is a significant step in national efforts to combat the COVID-19 virus and protect this age group, highlighting the UAE's proactive approach and its commitment to the health and safety of all community members.
She clarified that the expansion of vaccination to include this group would open the door for a large number of citizens and residents in the country to be vaccinated, helping to immunize a larger segment of the community in order to achieve acquired immunity. Despite the low infection rates among children, vaccination is very important as students gradually return to schools next year. "Our message today to parents is to rest assured that vaccination will help us all feel safe and maintain the health and safety of our children. Vaccinating children is essential as it alleviates the burden on parents whose children are still attending remote education. Therefore, we urge parents to take the initiative to vaccinate their children for their health and safety."
