In an attempt to help front line health workers to work without running the risk of being infected by the Corona virus, Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) is now ensuring that they receive the first dosage of the vaccine in real time.

Towards this move, Mohap administered the first dose to Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention recently. Speaking on the move, Al Owais said, “The country seeks to protect people from any dangers that they may face due to the nature of their work. Positive results of clinical trials are encouraging. The vaccine is safe and effective. It is compatible with the laws and regulations that allow a faster review of licensing procedures.”

This is one reason that one can attribute the use of vaccine by a senior officer in the administration. Dr. Nawal Al Kaabi, Chair of the National Clinical Committee for Covid-19 and Principal Investigator of the third phase of clinical trials of the inactive vaccine, has already confirmed too that the clinical trials were "moving on the right path, with all tests being successful so far".

He has confirmed via tele-interviews to the media that, "In less than six weeks since the study began, almost 31000 volunteers representing 125 nationalities have participated in the clinical trials.” According to Ms. Kabi, there have been so significant side effects except a few mild ones. She has further added that the side effects are similar to other vaccine dosages with nothing alarming so far.

Officials said the vaccine's evaluation was done "under a license for emergency and limited use, considering target groups, product characteristics, clinical studies data, and all relevant available scientific evidence". "The health authorities have followed all procedures to control the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine, in coordination with the vaccine's creators," said Dr Al Kaabi.

Phase III clinical trial of the Covid-19 inactivated vaccine was rolled out in Abu Dhabi on July 16. As of now, the number of infected cases has reached 80,000 with only loss of 400 lives reported.  According to official numbers shared by the ministry, some one lakh new tests have been conducted on various groups of society, using the best and latest examination techniques.  The UAE began experiments on a vaccine as fast as in mid July.  The vaccine produced by the Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharma is included under the umbrella of the WHO and UAE has been chosen to conduct the experiments as comprise a good mix of more than 200 nationalities under its wing. 

WAM