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If you are one of the many UAE residents who have taken the Sinopharm vaccine, a third dose is now available to you. According to the latest announcement by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) on May 18, a booster dose of the Sinopharm vaccine will be given to those who have taken its first and second dose not more than six months ago.
In a media briefing, Dr Farida Al Hosani, the official spokesperson for UAE’s health sector said, “As part of the state’s proactive strategy to provide maximum protection for society, the door has been opened for the public to receive an additional supportive dose of Sinopharm vaccine for people who have received the vaccine previously and who have completed more than six months on the second dose.”
As part of the UAE’s proactive strategy to provide maximum protection for society, an additional supportive dose of Sinopharm is now available for people who have received the vaccine previously and who have completed more than 6 months since the second dose.
#TogetherWeRecover— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) May 18, 2021
Since the Sinopharm vaccine was only authorized for public use on December 9, it means that most residents will be eligible for the booster dose from the end of next month. However, the authority added that priority will be given to senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses.
The NCEMA also stated, “More than 73.88% of the total eligible group, individuals above 16, were vaccinated. In addition, 80.33% of senior citizens, above 60 years of age, were vaccinated, which is the priority group as they are more vulnerable to the disease and its complications.”
As part of UAE’s ongoing efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19, parents are also being urged to vaccinate their children who are eligible. The authorities have stressed this due to the return of children to in-person teaching at schools next year. On May 13, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) also approved the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 12 to 15.
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