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Booster doses for both Pfizer BioNTech and Sputnik V vaccines have now been made available for UAE citizens and residents under certain categories. The booster dose is currently recommended for senior citizens, residents aged over 60 years, people with chronic illnesses, those at risk of complications from 50-59 years of age, as well as people receiving long-term care, aged 18 and older.
Health Sector: As part of the national vaccination campaign efforts, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has approved the emergency use of the booster shots of Pfizer-BioNTech and Sputnik vaccines.
#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/ZKkgU4fUaO— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 5, 2021
The announcement was made by Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, official spokesperson of the UAE Health Sector at a UAE Government media briefing on the pandemic. It follows the decision made by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) to initiate procedures for emergency use of the Pfizer and Sputnik V booster doses as a part of the national vaccination campaign. Additionally, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) also announced that the booster doses for Pfizer can be availed six months after the second dose. Dr Al Ghaithi also clarified that this provision is not applicable to those who were vaccinated with Pfizer or Sputnik V, following a full dose of the Sinopharm vaccine.
Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Official Spokesperson of the UAE Health Sector. Photo: WAM
Nearly 94.78% of the population in the UAE have received one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 84.3% have received both doses and are fully vaccinated, thereby putting the UAE health sector on track to achieve acquired immunity. “We are proud of this proactive approach and of being one of the first countries to turn the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic into opportunities and benefit from all the experiences we have gone through to become a global model,” Dr Al Ghaithi said.
She also emphasized the health sector’s role in effectively managing the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. “The UAE has achieved a leading position, both regionally and globally, in terms of how it handled the pandemic, due to the cooperation of various sectors that helped achieve strategic balance and sustainable recovery,” she added.
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