• Thousands of people signed up for a three-day vaccine drive at Guru Nanak Darbar, Dubai's Sikh temple. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
    Thousands of people signed up for a three-day vaccine drive at Guru Nanak Darbar, Dubai's Sikh temple. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
  • Hundreds of people queued on Saturday to receive a dose of the Sinopharm vaccine
    Hundreds of people queued on Saturday to receive a dose of the Sinopharm vaccine
  • Over three days, it is hoped that 4,500 people will receive the first of two vaccine shots made by Sinopharm
    Over three days, it is hoped that 4,500 people will receive the first of two vaccine shots made by Sinopharm
  • The temple organised the drive with Tamouh Health Care to ensure as many people are protected as possible, given a recent spike in cases
    The temple organised the drive with Tamouh Health Care to ensure as many people are protected as possible, given a recent spike in cases
  • Medics administer shots of the vaccine on Saturday
    Medics administer shots of the vaccine on Saturday
  • People queued patiently as staff worked their way through hundreds of people
    People queued patiently as staff worked their way through hundreds of people
  • The vaccine drive was arranged not just for regular worshippers but also people of all nationalities and faiths
    The vaccine drive was arranged not just for regular worshippers but also people of all nationalities and faiths
  • A medic also carries out a PCR swab test
    A medic also carries out a PCR swab test

Health

Coronavirus: UAE vaccine centres to prioritise elderly over next six weeks

Temporary measure to protect more vulnerable groups amid a rise in Covid-19 infections

The National

February 07, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Vaccination centres in the UAE will focus on inoculating the elderly and people with chronic diseases to prioritise their protection amid a rise in Covid-19 cases.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention announced the move on Saturday, as part of efforts to focus on more vulnerable groups in the next four to six weeks.

People who do not fall into these categories can still receive the vaccine after booking an appointment in advance.

"The ministry called on the families of the elderly and people with chronic diseases to urge them to vaccinate to preserve their health and safety," Wam reported.

On Saturday, health officials said more than 190,000 vaccine doses had been given to UAE residents in the previous 24 hours. The Ministry of Health said the total provided so far stood at 4,201,347. That equates to 42.48 doses per 100 people.

The UAE reported 3,276 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday and a further 12 deaths.

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