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Seniors, teenagers take Covid-19 jab in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - Public response to the Chinese Covid-19 jab likely to spike in the coming days.

There was a steady flow of UAE residents, including teenagers and senior citizens, at the medical facilities in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, who queued up to take the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine against the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.

The UAE capital had started the vaccination drive at 34 private hospitals from December 12.

Doctors said the trend appeared positive and no major side-effects have been reported to date.

Dr Iajaz Ahmed, the medical director, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain, said: “The response to the vaccination programme has been good. People from various age groups are flocking to the facilities to take the jab. We also saw children between 15 and 17 years take the vaccine with consent from their parents. Senior citizens and people suffering from comorbid conditions have taken the jab after getting an approval from their respective general physicians. Private companies have encouraged and supported voluntary administration of vaccines to their employees by providing transport and leave during work hours.”

Also read: First Dubai residents get Pfizer vaccine

Dr Ahmed said on an average around 150 to 170 jabs are being administered daily.

“The trend looks promising. It shows that the vaccine has won the public's trust. Besides, no major side-effects have been reported to date,” he said.

Turnout likely to grow in the coming days

Hospitals in Abu Dhabi have not reported an uptick in Covid-19 cases since a new mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2, which causes the contagion, was reported among residents in the United Kingdom (UK) last week.

Hospital authorities expect more people to take the jab in the coming days.

Dr Amaka Kate Uzu, a consultant of family medicine at Bareen International Hospital, MBZ City, urged community members to take the vaccine.

“More people are turning up to take the jab. No major side effects were reported so far. We’re encouraging more people to get vaccinated in our bid to fight the virus,” said Dr Uzu.

Dr Adnan Alkhalefeh, a general practitioner, added: “We expect that the public response will increase after news of the new mutant strain SARS-CoV-2 broke in the UK. The public is urged to continue following precautionary measures such as washing their hands, wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing norms.”

‘I was hesitant to take the jab’

Zuhdy Aqeel, a public relations (PR) manager, was among those sceptics, who was cautious about the efficacy of the Sinopharm vaccine.

However, in retrospect, he is glad that he took the jab.

“Initially, I was hesitant to take the vaccine. But later, based on the positive feedback about the vaccine, I volunteered to take the jab. I haven’t faced any side-effects since I was administered the vaccine. I thank the UAE government for making this vaccine available to the public at large,” he added.