UAE Covid vaccine: Over 40% residents get jab

Over 40 per cent of the UAE's population has received the Covid-19 vaccine, a top official announced on Tuesday, February 16. Health authorities have also administered the vaccine to close to half of all the elderly residents in the country.

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Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector, explained: “About 48.6 per cent of the elderly population have received the vaccine, which is an achievement ... that will help the country reach herd immunity."

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All this is in line with the UAE's plan to vaccinate 50 per cent of its population by the first quarter of 2021.

This will help reduce the number of cases and complications resulting from the disease, said Dr Hosani.

As on February 16, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has administered over 5.19 million vaccine doses. The country's rate of doses per 100 people stands at 52.56.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention will continue to give priority to the elderly, residents with chronic diseases and people of determination.

Dr Hosani said the ministry would provide the second dose to all those who have received the first.

Dhanusha Gokulan

Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for 10 years. She has a keen interest in writing about issues that plague the common person and will never turn down a human interest story. She completed her Bachelor in Arts in Journalism, Economics and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves travelling and Audible is her favourite mobile application. Tweet at her @wordjunkie88