Combating coronavirus: UAE calls on more volunteers to take part in Covid-19 vaccine trial

Abu Dhabi - In the face of infectious diseases, the vaccine can provide great services, including protection from infection or preventing its symptoms.

UAE authorities have renewed their call for volunteers to take part in the phase 3 trial of the Covid-19 vaccine.
During the virtual press briefing on Monday, Dr Omar Al Hammadi, the UAE Government spokesperson, said the ongoing vaccine trial in the country is a humanitarian work and the government is hopeful it will be successful and help eradicate the pandemic.
"The ultimate goal of finding a vaccine is to completely eradicate the disease," he said. "Humans have succeeded in completely eradicating smallpox using the vaccine. Vaccines have also succeeded in eliminating polio to some extent and the world is close to getting rid of it."
Al Hammadi noted that some vaccines, such as that for measles, create long-term immunity to the human body whereas others, like that of influenza, create short-term immunity. "When the virus tries to change its composition and attack, it requires developing a new vaccine or renewing it," he added.
In the face of infectious diseases, the vaccine can provide great services, including protection from infection or preventing its symptoms, and reducing complications. "Some of the vaccines reduce the chances of microbes transmission from the infected person to the recipient of the vaccine," said Al Hammadi.
Explaining the laser-based technology test, the official said Covid-19 antibody testing is a blood test that reveals if a person had a past infection of the virus. "It doesn't determine if he is currently infected with Covid-19. The PCR is currently the most effective and approved test to diagnosis a Covid-19 infection," he said.
Al Hammadi said the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in the UAE was associated with social and family gatherings. "Unlike people's behaviour at public places, which is subject to mandatory measures like social distancing and wearing masks, private and family gatherings are not," he said.
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