Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed urges teachers to take the Covid-19 vaccine

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation says it will help schools return to normality

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  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid receives the Sinopharm vaccine to protect against Covid-19 on November 3, 2020. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak receives the first of two shots of a vaccine that was trialled in the UAE. Wam

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  Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, receives the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Courtesy: Sheikh Mansoor

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  Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, gets the Sinopharm jab.

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  Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, receives the Covid-19 Sinopharm vaccine on Saturday, October 31. Courtesy: UAE Government Twitter

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  Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, receives his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday. Wam

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  Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, takes the Sinopharm vaccine. Courtesy: Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Twitter

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  Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, UAE Fatwa Council, is vaccinated with the Sinopharm innoculation on January 4, 2021. Wam

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  Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed, chair of Abu Dhabi's Executive Office, takes the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

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  The UAE's health minister, Abdulrahman Al Owais, receives the Sinopharm vaccine.

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  Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, gives a thumbs up as he is vaccinated against Covid-19.

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  Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, president of the UAE Football Association, receives the Covid-19 vaccine.

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  Khalifa bin Dary, executive director of Dubai Ambulance Services Corporation, receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  Lt Col Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, director of special patrols at Abu Dhabi Police, receives the Covid-19 vaccine. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Police

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  Maj Gen Mohammed Al Marri, director general of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai, receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  Maj Gen Talal Al Falasi, director general of Dubai's State Security Department, receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  Abdullah Al Falasi, director general of Dubai Government Human Resources Department, receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  Amer Sharif, head of Dubai's Covid-10 Command and Control Centre, receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  Obaid Al Shamsi, director general of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, takes the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed on Wednesday urged teachers and the rest of school staff to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said it would help schools return to normal.

Sheikh Abdullah's statement comes as the UAE intensifies its vaccination programme.

The country is aiming to reach 50 per cent of the population by the end of March. Officials said eight doses for every 100 people in the population have been administered so far.

As with most countries, the government wants to ensure at least 70 per cent of the population is protected.

"We look forward to the return of our sons and daughters to their schools, to develop their capacities and skills in a safe and healthy academic environment where they can be overachievers, preparing a promising generation capable of leading the country in the future," Sheikh Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council, said.

The UAE has introduced the Sinopharm vaccine for people of all ages in all emirates. Dubai has also secured the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is being offered to frontline workers and people with health conditions. A broader inoculation programme for all residents is planned for April.

The UAE recorded 2,067 Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, its highest tally to date.

A further 2,199 patients were given the all-clear as the recovery total climbed to 195,520.

Sheikh Abdullah's call came during a meeting of the council where he highlighted the role of educational staff during the pandemic.