In a major achievement for the UAE's national vaccination drive, healthcare authorities have inoculated more than 50 percent of the country's population. Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Health and Prevention Abdul Rahman Al Owais announced that the authorities have administered the COVID-19 vaccine to a total of 52.46 percent of the target population in the country.

“The vaccine was provided to 70.21 percent of the elderly and people with chronic conditions," he noted.

Significantly, the healthcare authorities are approaching seven million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered through over 205 vaccination centres set up across various parts of the country.

In the past 24 hours, the UAE administered more than 89,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, which increased the total distribution rate to 67.43 doses per 100 people.

Al Owais affirmed that it is a positive step in the ongoing efforts against the pandemic crisis as the UAE has become one of the leading countries with the highest vaccination rate in the world.

"It is also an indication of the strength of the medical and health systems in the UAE. We are working hard to succeed in providing the vaccine to 100 percent of our people,” the minister added.

He underlined that the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for all sections of society is one of the most significant achievements of the UAE due to which the country was able to overcome the health crisis. He stressed that the UAE leadership has ensured that the vaccines are available to all sections of society free of cost. The minister further urged everyone to cooperate, participate and take the vaccine to ensure immunity of the community and the return of normal life in the country.