80% of UAE population now fully vaccinated against Covid-19

Eighty per cent is widely regarded as a milestone in the push for 'herd immunity'

Abu Dhabi resident Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets vaccinated at Seha's cruise ship terminal facility in January

Abu Dhabi resident Shaikha Al Dheiri waiting to get vaccinated.

A healthcare worker smiles for the cameras.

Nearly 20,000 people are vaccinated daily at the centre.

Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Seha, said nearly 20,000 people are getting shots every day.

People in the waiting room.

An Emirati waits for her turn to get the vaccine.

A young Emirati at the vaccination centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal area.

Aya, 24, and Jana, 18, after receiving the vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the country without charge at dozens of hospitals, vaccination centres, majlis and clinics.

The Covid-19 vaccination drive is the country's largest to date. The health authorities aim to inoculate half the population by the end of the first quarter.

(L to R) - Emirati healthcare workers, Mouza Al Beshr, Khadija Al Nuaimi and Za,zam Al Naqbi at the Seha vaccination centre.

Related: Where to get a Pfizer vaccine and booster shot in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Eighty per cent of the UAE population is now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, new figures show.

Officials on Thursday said 91.32 per cent of the population had received one dose, while 80.29 per cent is fully vaccinated.

The figure of 80 per cent is widely regarded as a milestone in the push for herd immunity.

The Emirates has overseen one of the fastest drives and has administered 19,247,164 vaccines. First, second and booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinopharm vaccines are available.

Herd immunity is the point at which enough people have been vaccinated, or have had the disease, to significantly slow its spread in the community.

Regardless of that, health authorities still encourage every person to get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and the people around them.

Children over 12 can take the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while the Sinopharm vaccine has been approved for children between the ages of 3 and 17 after a successful trial involving 900 children in Abu Dhabi.

To expand the vaccination campaign, authorities in Abu Dhabi are running a Covid-19 vaccination campaign at government offices to make it easier for employees to receive shots or booster doses.

The Department of Government Support, in co-operation with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, has organised the campaign for all government employees and their families.

In August, the emirate also set up two dedicated walk-in vaccination centres for pupils and teachers.

New teachers, pupils and school employees could get the shot, even if they did not yet have their Emirates IDs.

In early August, authorities also recommended that people in the UAE receive a booster shot if they had their second dose of Sinopharm or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine more than six months ago.

People in groups considered at high risk were advised to get the booster after only three months.

People considered at high risk, including those aged over 60, the disabled and those with chronic diseases, can walk into any of the listed health centres.

All others must book an appointment.

On Thursday, 564 new cases were reported. Active cases in the country dropped to 6,515 as recoveries continued to outpace infections.

Covid-19 vaccination in Dubai - in pictures

Billboards along Sheikh Zayed Road thanking the Covid vaccine volunteers for the Phase 3 trials conducted in the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National

A man receives a dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease in Dubai. Reuters

People queue for the vaccine near DIFC in Dubai. AFP

The DPI screening centre on the border between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is quick and results are out in a matter of minutes. Antonie Robertson / The National

A woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai. EPA

Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara partnered with Tamouh Health Care to provide on-site Sinopharm Vaccination for all residents of the UAE free of charge in February. Pawan Singh / The National

UAE residents receive their vaccine free of charge in February. Pawan Singh / The National