In a positive development, the UAE has vaccinated more than 81.93% of its total eligible population (people above the age of 16 years) in line with its national inoculation programme.

During a weekly briefing of the UAE government, the official highlighted that among those vaccinated, about 92.35% are elderly people above the age of 60 years. The official added that medical experts are closely monitoring studies to strengthen the vaccination efforts for 12-15 years old in the coming period. Extensive clinical trials are being carried out to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines to build immunity of children aged 12-15 years against COVID-19.

The UAE Ministry of Health recently approved the licence for Sotrovimab-VIR drug for emergency use in the country. The medicine has shown effective results in the treatment of COVID-19, making a significant contribution in reducing the number of hospitalisation and death rate by 85%. The official further explained that the drug depends on ‘monoclonal antibodies’ to treat patients aged 12 years and over against COVID-19.

"It has proven effective in treating mild and moderate infections, and also infections caused by the new variants of the virus," the official added.

However, the official stressed that the Sotrovimab-VIR is a medicine that helps in the treatment of COVID-19 infected patients, and not to be considered a substitute for the vaccine.

Meanwhile, the UAE authorities continue to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible members of the community with the aim of achieving herd immunity against the disease.