The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) recently launched a Sinopharm “immune bridge study” for children aged between 3 and 17 years. Under the study, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi will be implementing all necessary medical protocols in line with the highest international standards and practices to study the effectiveness of the vaccine among children.

With this development, the UAE has become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to carry out a study to analyse the effectiveness of the Sinopharm vaccine for this age group.

The UAE authorities will announce the preliminary results of the study as soon as it is available with the aim of supporting the recovery process of schools and a safe return for students to classes. Notably, other countries including China, the United Kingdom, the United States, and India are also conducting clinical trials for this group at regional levels to understand vaccine effectiveness among children.

As per reports, the study will be monitoring the immune response to the Sinopharm vaccine among 900 children from different nationalities. The results will further assist the UAE authorities in vaccinating children in the coming months. Authorities have affirmed that every child will be participating with the full consent of their parents. They will be closely monitored in a safe and secure environment. Noting that safety is the most important aspect of the study, parents and children will be given support and security at every step of the process.

Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, Chairwoman of the National COVID-19 Clinical Management Committee, is leading the study in the UAE. Speaking about the study, Dr Al Kaabi noted that children are the cornerstone of any society and the future of any country. With more people across the UAE getting vaccinated, the Committee is making all possible efforts to ensure that the children are also inoculated safely.

“This is why when we designed the Sinopharm immune bridge study with the aim of ensuring that all care is given to our young volunteers throughout the journey," she added.

During the study, both children and parents will be given the necessary explanation and assistance at every step so that they understand the process thoroughly.

The study was developed keeping in mind the emergence of COVID-19 virus strains in various countries across the world. The mutations have resulted in an increase in the number of positive cases, including among children, as well as the severity of their infections. It further increases the possibility of transmission of the virus by children to other individuals, particularly to people at higher risk such as the elderly.

Administering the vaccine to children will not only protect them and their loved ones against the disease, but will also accelerate the pace of achieving herd immunity needed to combat the spread of the virus.

The study has come in line with the UAE’s long-term recovery plan, which is significantly based on vaccinated 100 percent of the eligible population by end of 2021.

For his part, Dr Ahmed Deemas Alsuwaidi, Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the United Arab Emirates University, said that the development and increasing availability of COVID-19 vaccines has helped the UAE in inching closer to fully overcoming the pandemic. Global research has proved the effectiveness and safety of various COVID-19 vaccines developed by multiple countries.

"Children have been safely receiving vaccines for multiple diseases and viruses for generations. The Sinopharm vaccine is similar in concept to all of these vaccines, and we look forward to seeing the results of this study and its effectiveness for children," Dr Alsuwaidi added.

This study has come after the achievements of the UAE authorities in conducting safe and positive clinical trials for several vaccines against COVID-19. These trials have confirmed the effectiveness of the vaccines in limiting infections and reducing severe symptoms across multiple nationalities in the country. After successful results of the clinical trials, the vaccines were officially registered and licensed by the authorities for general use to vaccinate the citizens and residents across the country.

As of May 2021, the UAE ranked at the top globally in terms of its vaccination rate at 137 doses per 100 people.