Vaccination drive for senior citizens a total success in UAE
Great efforts reflect the vision of delivering services and providing the vaccine to the citizens, says Hessa Tahlak
The Ministry of Community Development (MOCD), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), continued to carry out the vaccination campaign for senior citizens which was launched last January against COVID-19 all over the UAE. Till today, the campaign included Ajman, Dubai, Al Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. The vaccination campaign of senior citizens in Ras Al Khaimah was done by a team from the two ministries at the homes of male and female senior citizens in several areas such as: Dahan, Julphar, Al Rams and Shaam areas in Ras Al Khaimah.
The senior citizens’ vaccination campaign was launched on Jan.10 and achieved great response from hundreds of male and female senior citizens. As part of its ongoing efforts, the campaign continues to deliver the vaccine to the largest numbers of senior citizens across the UAE to ensure their prevention against the coronavirus and receive two doses as per a timed schedule all over the UAE.
Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Development at the Ministry of Community
Development, stressed that the senior citizens vaccination campaign was able to deliver the vaccine to senior citizens in several areas across the UAE through the medical team at the senior citizen centres in Ajman, Dubai, Al Fujairah, Dibba Al Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. She praised the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Prevention in providing a medical team to vaccine senior citizens at their residences, ensuring the delivery of services and providing the vaccine to the largest possible number of targeted groups and neediest people foremost which are senior citizens.
The Ministry of Community Development is very keen to promote its partnership with competent authorities to reach out to the priority groups and provide COVID-19 vaccine to them, reflecting the instructions and guidance of the UAE wise leadership to provide all the main constituents that enhance wellbeing by overcoming the repercussions of COVID-19 crisis and moving towards returning to our normal lives.
The senior citizens’ vaccination campaign is more specific as it is addressed to the most important and vulnerable groups to ensure their health and safety, and prevent complications of the disease, as they are the most vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 based on the fact that the vaccine is the best way to protect all the members of the community from the consequences of the virus to a large extent.
The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi ( DCD) recently hosted a virtual meeting with the leaders of non-muslim places of worship and the representatives of social communities and groups in the emirate. The online gathering highlighted their key role in supporting the ongoing national recovery campaign associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting came following the DCD’S visits to non-muslim places of worship to encourage people to take the COVID-19 vaccine under its ‘ Choose to Vaccinate’ campaign, which is being conducted in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi health authorities in accordance with the country’s precautionary measures to combat the virus and protect the health and safety of the local communities.
During the event, Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of DCD, thanked the religious leaders and representatives as he pointed out the importance of social integration and cohesion in Abu Dhabi to strengthen its readiness to overcome any challenges.
He also noted that they have effectively contributed to making the UAE one of the countries in the world with the best COVID-19 response by complying with the precautionary measures issued by the Department and its government partners since the beginning of the global health crisis.
In his speech, Al Khaili said: “You are an essential part of our society. As such, we will work with you side by side, collaborate and listen to your needs. The Department is commited to helping you and your families have a decent life. We are also happy by the positive response of religious leaders in Abu Dhabi. You have set an example to your parishioners by being among the first to take the vaccine and, aterwards, encouraging them to do the same for their protection.”