App can be used to prove vaccination status

The UAE’s Al Hosn app has been updated to serve as the national e-register for the Covid-19 vaccination campaign.

People can use the app, which already acts as a database for Covid-19 testing results and contact tracing, to provide proof of their vaccination status, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said.

“The data available in [the app] are official documents that prove vaccination, and people can save the record and print it whenever needed,” the authority said on Twitter.

The announcement was made after the chief executive of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, said he expected vaccine passports to become ubiquitous and mandatory for travel.

NCEMA also spoke about the efficacy of the coronavirus vaccines available in the UAE, and the importance of herd immunity in combating mutations.

The authority encouraged all people above the age of 16 to get the vaccine to protect themselves, their families and society. “As the number of vaccinated individuals increases, and they strengthen their immunity against Covid-19, the less likely it will be for the virus to grow and spread, which helps reduce the chances of more mutations and variants,” the authority said.

Yesterday, the Emirates recorded 2,196 new Covid-19 cases, raising the total to 446,594.

Another 2,385 patients were given the all-clear as the number of recoveries increased to 429,573.

Five patients died, raising the death toll to 1,456.