Ahmed Al Shaibani answered the call of serving to his country and a desire to help others as he volunteered to participate in the Covid-19 vaccine trial in the UAE. Al Shaibani who works in Al Ain Hospital as senior call centre officer has now become one of the thousands of people who have volunteered for Phase 3 testing of inactive vaccine trial in the Emirate. Though he is disabled, he decided to come forward in quest to help people and hopes others will do so too.

In an interview with state media agency WAM, Al Shaibani wished the country to come victorious from the pandemic soon. He said, “I urge other people with disabilities to serve the UAE community and call on all members of society to take part in clinical trials because their contributions will result in the development of a coronavirus vaccine.”

“Participating in such trials is a national duty for all citizens and residents of the UAE,” he added.

Ahmed Al Shaibani has volunteered at the medical centre in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Here candidates are tested and screened for potential health issues which will disqualify them from participating in the trial.

The trial which has been approved and recognized by the World Health Organization, commenced in mid-July. It is underway by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Department of Health Abu Dhabi and G42 Healthcare. The vaccine has been developed by collaboration of Wuhan Institute of Biological Products and Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm. The Phase 1 and 2 of the trials have been carried out in China successfully.

The volunteers between ages 18 and 60 are eligible for the trial. Firstly they are given a general examination and checkup before administering them with first dose of the two vaccine doses. The vaccine doses are administered over a period of 28 days. The volunteers are monitored throughout this period and are asked to keep a medical journal to note their experiences. Finally, they are tested to check of antibodies development against coronavirus.