UAE reaches milestone as ‘all eligible people get first shot’

The UAE has reached a milestone in its coronavirus vaccination campaign, according to officials, with 100 per cent of people eligible now inoculated with a first dose.

More than 90 per cent have received both doses, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said.

The country also passed another milestone at the weekend, with 100 million PCR tests conducted since the pandemic began.

On Friday, NCEMA said 19,694 vaccine doses were given in the previous 24 hours “to reach a total of 21,802,032 doses, with a distribution rate of 220.44 doses per 100 people”.

In the UAE, vaccines can be given to people over the age of 16. Some groups, including pregnant women and those with certain health conditions, are not eligible to take a vaccine, NCEMA says on its website.

Mass testing and one of the world’s fastest vaccination initiatives have helped the UAE to curb the pandemic, with cases remaining low as the country cautiously returns to normal.

The UAE recorded 68 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, bringing the country’s overall tally to 741,858.

Another 98 people beat the virus as recoveries climbed to 736,699.

No fatalities were recorded, meaning the death toll remained at 2,145.

The latest cases were detected as a result of an additional 294,480 tests being carried out, with the UAE passing the 100 million PCR test mark at the weekend.

It comes as a new variant of the virus has raised concern around the world.

The Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa, has led to flight bans and a efforts to determine vaccine efficacy.

The UAE has suspended the entry of travellers from seven countries in southern Africa from tomorrow owing to concerns about the strain.

Authorities have told people to continue to follow Covid-19 rules despite the drop in cases and have also advised spending the coming holiday period at home.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the health sector, said last week that travel was allowed but not advised, given the high rate of infection overseas.