UAE allows COVID-19 vaccine usage; Government releases orders

The UAE has granted emergency permission for the use of the COVID-19 vaccine to the health workers who are at high risk of getting diseases.

The decision has been made after six weeks of human trials for a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the UAE.

Abdulrahman Al-Owais, Health Minister said, “the vaccine would be available for “first-line-of-defense heroes, who are most at risk of catching COVID-19, protecting them from any danger that they may be exposed to due to the nature of their work.”

He added that the immediate use of the vaccine is fully compliant with the rules and regulations that allow for a speedy review of licensing procedures.

The vaccine, developed by Sinopharm, a China-based pharmaceutical company, is one among 26 vaccines around the world to reach the crucial human trial stage.

Abu Dhabi-based G42 Healthcare, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi government, conducted the third phase of human trials in the emirates in the past several weeks.

The results of the third phase of the experiments were safe and effective, sparking a strong reaction by producing antibodies to the virus, Al-Owais said, adding that the measures were aimed at saving the lives and health of millions of people from the deadly virus.

According to Dr. Nawal al-Kaabi, Head of the National Clinical Committee on coronavirus, 31,000 volunteers have participated in the clinical trials which included 125 different nationalities. He further added that there were no serious side effects found on any vaccine trial volunteers other than mild side effects.

Russia became the first country to authorize a coronavirus vaccine after less than two months of human trials in the world.