Abu Dhabi launches vaccination drive to reduce new cases

Top health officials encourage people to be immunised to protect themselves and the 'health of the nation'

Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee and Dr Walid Zaher, vaccine project leader at G42 Healthcare, pictured in Abu Dhabi. Their teams will lead a plan to produce the Sinopharm vaccine in the UAE this year. Victor Besa / The National

Dr Al Kaabi, pictured with Ashish Koshy, chief executive of Sinopharm vaccine trial partner G42 Healthcare, said the country aims to inoculate 70 per cent of the population to achieve herd immunity. Victor Besa / The National

Al Ain resident Aysha Mohammed Ahmad Ali holds a thumbs up after receiving her first shot of the Sinopharm vaccine at Burjeel hospital in Abu Dhabi in December. Victor Besa / The National

A medic at Burjeel Hospital in downtown Abu Dhabi holds a dose of the vaccine developed by Chinese drug maker Sinopharm. Victor Besa / The National

A nurse carries out a consultation with Abu Dhabi resident Saqib Ali before he receives the free shot. Victor Besa / The National

Al Ain resident Aysha Mohammed Ahmad Ali travelled to Abu Dhabi City from Al Ain to get vaccinated. Victor Besa / The National

A medic at Burjeel Hospital in downtown Abu Dhabi holds a dose of the vaccine developed by Chinese drug maker Sinopharm. Victor Besa / The National

Medical staff at Burjeel Hospital pictured on the first day of vaccine shots. Victor Besa / The National

Dr Haifaa Fadl Nourin is pictured at the hospital's Covid-19 vaccination clinic, which was set up in Burjeel's cancer wing. Victor Besa / The National

Bunyanuch Janta, from Thailand, waits for her turn to get vaccinated on Sunday. Victor Besa / The National

Emiratis Jaber Humaid, left and Omran Al Khoori pictured after receiving the first of two shots. Victor Besa / The National

Dr Ayman Mohamed Abdelhady gets vaccinated at Burjeel Hospital on Sunday. Victor Besa / The National

A campaign is under way across Abu Dhabi to encourage people to have the Covid-19 vaccine.

Called Choose to Vaccinate, the drive aims to reduce infections in the emirate in combination with other precautions such as physical distancing and mandatory face masks.

Any adult in the UAE can be inoculated against the virus, with a handful of exceptions. It is free of charge.

“The approved Covid-19 vaccines are safe and will give recipients the immunity needed to protect themselves,” said Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary of Department of Health Abu Dhabi.

“I hope everyone chooses to vaccinate to help get our lives back to normal.”

Abu Dhabi’s robust approach to screening and active tracing has allowed the capital to maintain a low rate of cases with only 0.39 per cent of all tests conducted in the emirate yielding a positive result.

Top health officials encouraged members of the public to protect themselves against Covid-19, saying the vaccine was rigorously tested to ensure it was safe.

“We are proud to have prioritised protecting our community and curbing the spread of the virus, while being active in finding solutions by ... [participating] in clinical trials that have contributed to ensuring a vaccine is now available,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.

“The vaccines have undergone rigorous trials to ensure their safety, efficacy and quality. I hope you choose to vaccinate to protect your health and the health of our nation.”

Immunisation through vaccination is the safest and most effective way to curb the spread of Covid-19. Vaccinations strengthen the body’s natural immunity to disease and save millions of lives each year.

“Covid-19 will not disappear unless we fight back and the most effective way to do that is with vaccines,” said Matar Al Nuaimi, director general of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

“I hope everyone chooses to vaccinate, to break the infection chain and be a part of victory against this pandemic.”

To learn more about the immunisation campaign, visit doh.gov.ae or ring Abu Dhabi Healthcare Company on 800 50.