Sheikh Nahyan latest Cabinet minister to receive Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine

The Minister of Tolerance received the first of two shots of the Chinese vaccine trialled in UAE

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

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak became the latest Cabinet minister to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, which is undergoing Phase 3 trial in the UAE.

State news agency Wam shared pictures on Wednesday of the Minister of Tolerance receiving the vaccine, manufactured by the Chinese drug maker, Sinopharm.

The vaccine requires two shots, several weeks apart, followed by an antibody test to determine if the person has developed resistance to the coronavirus.

So far, the vaccine has been rolled out to frontline medical workers, senior officials and some members of the Cabinet.

It was approved for limited use by the UAE government after Phase 3 trials based in Abu Dhabi. Overall 31,000 volunteers received shots during the trial, which was extended to Jordan and Bahrain in limited numbers.

Last week, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, received the Covid-19 vaccine and posted the image on social media on Monday.

"I thank the medical staff. I wish everyone safety," he said.

Earlier this month, the UAE and Russia said the Emirates would host a trial of the Sputnik V vaccine, developed in Moscow.

The trial is expected to begin soon, with the Russians intending to reveal the results in late November.

Phase 3 trials typically involve tens of thousands of volunteers.

The stage after that is usually 'limited approval' – which six vaccines across the world have received – followed by 'vaccines approved for full use', which none have yet.

Vaccine trials usually involve a diverse ethnic group and people of all ages to test for efficacy and side effects.

UAE Cabinet ministers take Covid-19 vaccine 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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