Abu Dhabi’s police chief has spoken of his pride after being immunised against Covid-19.
Maj Gen Maktoum Al Sharifi and fellow department heads at the force became the latest officials in the country to take China’s Sinopharm vaccine.
Maj Gen Al Sharifi said he was “happy and proud to be one of the people who took the vaccine for the noble goal of beating this virus”.
“Abu Dhabi Police believes in the importance of collective efforts spent in protecting our society from all risks. [It] is a national responsibility,” he said.
On Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced he had had the jab.
“While receiving the Covid-19 vaccine today. We wish everyone safety and great health,” Sheikh Mohammed posted on Twitter.
“And we are proud of our teams who have worked relentlessly to make the vaccine available in the UAE.”
The country hosted a Phase-3 trial which involved 31,000 volunteers in the Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan.
The jab has since been administered to frontline medical workers, senior officials and some members of the Cabinet, after it received approval from the UAE Government in September for limited use.
At the weekend, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, president of the UAE Football Association and a member of Ajman’s ruling family, also received the vaccine.
Sheikh Rashid said he looked forward to “victory over the virus”.
Among the other high-profile leaders to receive the vaccine was Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, and Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed, chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office.
The Minister of Health and Prevention, Abdulrahman Al Owais, and chief of the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority, Obaid Al Shamsi, have also received the jab.
