The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a new protocol to provide booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines to eligible members in line with the ongoing national vaccination campaign efforts in the country. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Official Spokesperson of the UAE health sector, announced the start of the protocol during a recent government media briefing on the developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the briefing, Dr Al Gaithi hailed the fundamental role played by the UAE health sector in strengthening the national response against the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its repercussions across key sectors.

"The health sector has contributed, along with other vital sectors, to providing all the capabilities and resources necessary to address the challenges of the pandemic and achieve recovery," she said.

She added that the UAE adopted a proactive approach since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerged one of the first countries to turn the health crisis into multiple opportunities to reap maximum benefit from the experiences and learnings. She explained that the UAE health sector invested in enhancing its R&D potential and capabilities to achieve the goals the country have gained so far. One of the most notable achievements have been the safe and effective vaccine distribution campaign along with state-of-the-art medical treatment provided across hospitals across the region.

It is the continuous efforts of the UAE's health sector that helped in achieving acquired immunity with the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to all eligible people free of cost. As of now, nearly 94.78 percent of the UAE population have received their first vaccine dose, while 84.3 percent are now fully vaccinated, she added.

Dr. Al Ghaithi further called on high-risk groups such as senior citizens, people with chronic illnesses, individuals at risk of complications from 50 to 59 years old, and people receiving long-term health care aged 18 and above to take their vaccine boosters to enhance fight against COVID-19. In this regard, she added that the latest protocol does not apply those individuals who have received Pfizer-BioNTech or Sputnik V booster doses after receiving both doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.

"We recommend individuals who are eligible for the booster shot be sure to take this dose on time, to protect their health and ensure safety from COVID-19 by boosting their immunity," she added.

She hailed the leading position achieved by the UAE both regionally and globally in terms of its response against the COVID-19 pandemic with the support and cooperation of various sectors that facilitated sustainable recovery. She noted that the impressive successes achieved by the UAE are in line with the forward-looking vision of the UAE's wise leadership and the commitment shown by the community members to accelerate normalcy in the country.

In conclusion, Dr. Al Ghaithi called on community members to continue their compliance with safety measures in order to maintain all the gains achieved so far.

"The phased removal of restrictions we are witnessing now requires all of us to share social responsibility to ensure public health and safety, contain the pandemic, and move towards a brighter future," she added. 

WAM