Covid-19 vaccine UAE: Follow all safety measures after getting jab

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Dubai - The fresh call not to let the guards down comes as medics are hoping to find out how long the antibodies stick around.

By Nandini Sircar

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Published: Sat 9 Jan 2021, 6:33 PM

Last updated: Sat 9 Jan 2021, 8:11 PM

Vaccines are effective at preventing symptomatic Covid infection, and therefore, to follow standard precautions remains critical to protecting lives, UAE doctors have reiterated.

The fresh call not to let the guard down comes as medics are hoping to find out how long the antibodies stick around, and how potent they are within an individual's body.


It also comes against the backdrop of 2,998 Covid-19 cases reported in the country on Saturday.

“Routine measure of physical distancing, hand washing, sanitisation and use of masks are to be followed in letter and spirit at least for now,” said Dr Arshad Altaf, specialist pulmonologist Prime Medical Centre King Faisal Branch Sharjah.


Doctors explained vaccination is a process that will lead up to creating herd immunity in the community eventually.

But this will take time as it requires a minimum of 70 per cent of the population to get vaccinated to develop herd immunity.

Dr Altaf added: “We have to understand that complete protection following vaccination develops after one-two weeks from the second dose of vaccine which makes the basic precautions worthwhile despite the shot. All guidelines by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)/Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) need to be followed to win the battle against Covid-19 and to safeguard the UAE population.”

Meanwhile, MoHAP, along with health authorities concerned, announced the launch of a national campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated against Covid-19, especially the elderly and people with chronic diseases.

Dr Saheer Sainalabdeen, specialist respiratory medicine, Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi, pointed out: “During the trials of the currently available vaccines, tracking has been done pertaining to how many vaccinated people contract Covid-19 despite inoculation. How far they can prevent the spread of the virus is not yet clear.”

Therefore, to prevent the spread of infection remains to be the toughest part. Vaccination teaches the body how to successfully fight a virus without actually getting sick.

Medics averred that to effectively contain this pandemic, reducing exposure to the virus and supporting vaccination campaigns must continue.

“The majority of available vaccines have an efficacy of around 95 per cent to prevent symptomatic disease, but its effectiveness to prevent transmission even if it does will be something less than that. So till 70 per cent of the public builds up immunity, we have to wear masks and follow other precautions'', added Dr Sainalabdeen.

Dr Asiya Nabi, general practitioner at Prime Homecare, underlined: “As per the instructions of the health authorities, please ensure the standard safety guidelines after vaccination to increase safety and avoid rise in the number of Covid-19 positive cases."

"As we are in a vaccination phase that aims to reduce the number of cases and decrease the chance of you suffering from Covid-19 disease, we need to follow the recommended guidelines till the population is mostly immunised. The immunity that one develops after the first dose varies and we need to be patient till the second dose is administered and then reevaluate the immunity acquired. This makes it clear that we all still need to follow guidelines to decrease and interrupt the transmission.”

Additionally, healthcare professionals reminded everyone that as the Covid-19 vaccination is yet not available for children, preventive measures are still the pillars of protection for them as well.

Dr Suma Arun, specialist paediatrician, Aster Clinic, Al Qusais, explained: “Mutations that make viruses more infectious do not necessarily make them more dangerous. So, there has been no suggestion that the new strain is a greater threat to children’s health. But strictly adhering to the preventive measures is imperative. Vigilant monitoring of the evolving situation is important.”

nandini@khaleejtimes.com


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