The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) recently announced that the COVID-19 vaccine is being given to all members of the society in accordance with the plans designed by the authorities. However, the authorities have been prioritising those people working in public and private facilities and the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly in the vaccination campaign.

The ministry also highlighted that it is working on increasing the number of centres administering the COVID-19 vaccine across the country in order to ensure that the maximum number of people are given the immunisation.

The UAE government recently achieved the milestone of administering one million vaccine doses to the public in a record time. This achievement a testament of the community's trust in the efficiency and effectiveness of the efforts taken by the government to ensure the health and safety of the people against the virus.

The ministry added that it also boosts people's confidence in the healthcare infrastructure of the country and in the capabilities of the UAE government to protect the health and welfare of its people, At the same time, the vaccination campaign reinforces the spirit of optimism and the levels of reassurance among the public towards a rapid recovery from the pandemic crisis.

With the launch of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Health Ministry assigned several hospitals and medical centres across the country to obtain the vaccine and administer them among the public with the help of well-trained cadres. These centres have been working in coordination with the health authorities and using modern medical equipment to carry out the inoculation programme.

The ministry affirmed that all citizens and residents are allowed to take the vaccine now, with priority given to the elderly and people with chronic diseases. This step was taken to support the comprehensive and integrated efforts of the UAE government to boost the immunity of the community against the COVID-19 virus.

Speaking over the development, Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary of Health Centres and Clinics Sector, and Chairman of the National Committee for the Implementation of the Provisions of International Health Regulations and Prevention of Pandemics, confirmed that the ministry is working to enhance the absorptive and operational capacity in government and private health facilities. In addition, the ministry is also adding more facilities to accommodate and help large groups of the community as they express their will to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

This decision has come in line with the directives issued by the UAE leadership to focus attention on the health and welfare of the community.

"This comes in line with the directives of our wise leadership, which calls to harness all capabilities and resources to immunize the society and provide all safe means to maintain their safety and health," Al Rand added.

He also clarified that those willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine can directly go to the hospitals, medical centres and councils offering the vaccine, without booking a prior appointment. Al Rand also expressed his gratitude to the UAE government, noting that it has been working tirelessly at the forefront of the nation's fight against the COVID-19 crisis in order to ensure that the vaccine is available to people free of charge. The authorities have approved the vaccine after ensuring its effectiveness and safety for the welfare of people. 

WAM