Covid-19: First batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines reaches UAE

Dubai - Emirates SkyCargo transports the vaccines free of charge

By Web Report

Published: Wed 23 Dec 2020, 11:07 AM

Last updated: Wed 23 Dec 2020, 11:25 AM

The first batch of Covid-19 vaccines manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech has reached the UAE from Brussels via Emirates SkyCargo last night at 22:15 UAE time.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Group, thanked everyone who has worked over the last year to protect the lives of those most vulnerable against the disease. “Emirates is proud to be transporting the first batch of Pfizer vaccines for Covid-19 into the UAE for the Dubai Health Authority. It has been our honour to transport these vaccines free of charge on our flight. Our healthcare ecosystem has played an absolutely critical role in every step of the fight against Covid-19,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Pfizer Covid vaccine UAE: First batch arrives in Dubai

Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo said: "Emirates SkyCargo has set up the world’s largest airside hub dedicated to distributing Covid-19 vaccines and we stand ready to support not just Dubai, but countries around the world, including markets with limited cool chain infrastructure with our advanced capabilities. By transporting Covid-19 vaccines across our extensive network, we look forward to helping people around the world get back on their feet after the devastating impact of the pandemic."

On arrival at Dubai airport, the containers with the vaccines were unloaded on priority from the aircraft and then taken to Emirates SkyCargo’s dedicated pharma facility Emirates SkyPharma to await clearance for delivery.

More recently, Emirates SkyCargo has set up the world’s largest dedicated airside storage and distribution hub for Covid-19 vaccines in Dubai with the capacity to store up to an estimated 10 million doses of vaccine at the 2-8C temperature range at any one point of time. Emirates SkyCargo has already commenced distribution of Covid-19 vaccines from a range of manufacturers and geographies.