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Amidst the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the UAE (currently totaling almost 1,732 new cases on Monday), the Ministry of Health and Prevention has announced that a new vaccine by Sinopharm CNBG has been approved for emergency use in the country. The vaccine is considered to be a recombinant protein vaccine, and can be used as a booster for the two previously received Sinopharm vaccines.
Recombinant protein vaccines are effective since they target the spike protein that the virus uses to enter the body. This means that there is less risk of contracting the virus, with studies showing improved immunity against its variants as well.
The vaccine will be manufactured and distributed by Hayat Biotech, the joint venture between Sinopharm and G42, and will be available as a booster from January 2022 as a further attempt to control the spread of the virus. It has also proven to be the vaccine that works in low-income countries since it can be stored at normal fridge temperatures, as opposed to mRNA vaccines that require ultra cold fridges.
Hayat-Vax is the locally-produced version of the inactive Sinopharm vaccine, also made at the Hayat Biotech plant, and is a key part of the UAE’s strategy to support immunization.
So far, the UAE has reportedly diagnosed a total of 753,065 cumulative infections, with daily case numbers rising in early December. 325,097 PCR tests have been conducted since, with one death reported, making the total number of deaths in the country 2,159.
In an attempt to control the speedy spread of the virus, the UAE has been tightening preventative rules and measures.
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