40% of the population in UAE have been vaccinated
The UAE has covered over 40 per cent of the population as part of its campaign to achieve the 50 per cent mark in the National Vaccination drive.
The Health Ministry made the statement during a media briefing on the latest development on coronavirus situation in the country.
A new global health achievement by providing more than 5 million COVID-19 doses at a rate of 52.56 doses per 100 people.
While the number of tests exceeded 28 million, an UAE achievement, which confirms its ability to handle the pandemic.
The health officials said, “The Ministry of Health continues to provide the COVID-19 vaccine, with a priority to senior citizens, individuals with chronic diseases and people of determination, in addition to all individuals who are eligible to take the second dose.
“We have successfully reached a rate of 48.46% of vaccinations within the elderly segment, a notable achievement to reach the acquired immunity, which helps in reducing the number of cases and complications resulting from the disease to the control of the pandemic.
“The vaccine was also provided to 40.48% of the total population in the country, which is in line with the plan to provide the vaccine to 50% of the total population during the first quarter of this year.” The Ministry of Health and Prevention ( MOHAP) recorded 3,236 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.
In addition to the new cases, 3,634 individuals have recovered and 14 people passed away.
Using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment, the ministry carried out 193,163 additional coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.
The UAE has recorded 355,131 positive coronavirus cases, 340,365 people have recovered and 1,041 people passed away.
The UAE health officials said that they have recorded infections among individuals ater the first dose of vaccine.
The officials said most of recorded infections are ater the first dose and due to exposure to the virus from the community before the formation of sufficient immunity in the body to prevent the disease, which is expected to be reached at least two weeks ater the second dose.
Authorities said, “We advise all individuals to commit to taking the second dose, to ensure the highest rate of prevention of the disease, and to continue preventive measures even ater taking both doses.” The Sinopharm vaccine works using dead viral particles to expose the body’s immune system to the virus without risking a reaction. The vaccine stimulates the human immune system and forms antibodies to resist the COVID-19 virus.
Authorities said that Pfizer-bionic vaccine works with RNA technology.
This means that part of the gene code is injected into the body, prompting it to start producing s-protein on the shell of the virus that triggers immune response.
Both Astrazeneca and Sputnik V vaccine are based on a viral vector, it is placed on another virus called adenovirus, which is modified and molecules of the emerging COVID-19 virus are added to it. The virus is considered weak but sufficient to produce antibodies.
In the US, the White House said it is increasing the supply of coronavirus vaccines sent each week to states to 13.5 million doses, and is also doubling the amount shipped to pharmacies to 2 million doses this week.
India has detected both the South African and Brazilian coronavirus variants and people returning from those countries may be tested more aggressively, health officials said on Tuesday.
The Indian government is now considering mandating RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) tests for all people coming from Brazil and South Africa, as is being done for those flying in from the United Kingdom. India has so far reported 187 cases of infection with the UK variant.
Health authorities in England have identified 38 cases of a new coronavirus variant which has a key mutation that is thought to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, the government said on Tuesday.
“There is currently no evidence that this set of mutations causes more severe illness or increased transmissibility,” Professor Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England (PHE) said in a statement. PHE said the cases were dispersed across England.
48.46% of UAE elderly vaccinated; Emirates records 3,236 COVID-19 cases, 14 deaths; India detects S.africa, Brazilian COVID variants; English experts detect 38 cases of new variant.