Coronavirus: recovered patients should take immunity test before getting vaccinated

People who had minor symptoms may not have enough antibodies and may need protection from the virus

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

People who have recovered from coronavirus may need to take an immunity test before getting vaccinated, health authorities said on Tuesday.

Dr Omar Al Hammadi, spokesman for the UAE government's regular Covid-19 briefings, said patients who had recovered from the virus would be tested and the vaccine administered if they were low on antibodies.

“According to studies, those who had minor infections or did not show symptoms don’t necessarily have immunity against it. They will get the vaccine after a medical assessment,” he said.

"Patients who suffered severe symptoms and those who were admitted to hospital are likely to develop a strong immunity. They will be advised to take an antibody test and will be inoculated if immunity levels are low."

Dr Al Hammadi reminded people to adhere to all precautionary measures while schools in the country are closed for the winter break.

“It’s the holiday season, schools are closed and more tourists are coming. We should abide by precautions, maintain hygiene and social distancing, wear face masks and be cautious when we interact with the elderly and those with chronic health conditions,” he said.

Between December 9 and 15, the UAE carried out 1,023,607 tests and 8,430 people tested positive.

The rate of new cases from tests conducted is just 1 per cent. There were 26 deaths during the week, which is a 0.3 per cent mortality rate – the lowest in the world.