UAE administers 5.5m doses of Covid-19 vaccine as Pfizer-BioNTech shipment arrives in Dubai

The shots will soon be distributed among Dubai Health Authority clinics

A shipment containing vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is unloaded at Dubai International Airport. Reuters

The UAE has administered 5.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, health authorities said.

Its National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said on Sunday that 951 shots were given in the past 24 hours, moving the country closer to achieving herd immunity for its 10 million inhabitants.

Daily doses decreased in recent weeks from tens of thousands a day, and authorities said they would prioritise the elderly and other at-risk groups.

A target of immunising at least half of the country’s population by the end of March was achieved.

The announcement came as a new batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was delivered to Dubai.

It will be distributed among government clinics that administer the Covid-19 vaccine.

The authority’s inoculation campaign is currently focusing on Emiratis and elderly residents, people with chronic diseases who have a valid Dubai visa, and essential workers in the public and private sectors.

Authorities in the UAE have also approved Sinopharm’s vaccine for general use and the AstraZeneca and Sputnik V shots for emergency use only.

The country reported 2,250 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, the lowest number recorded on any day this month.

Officials also announced 3,684 new recoveries, exceeding new cases by more than 1,400.

There are now 9,603 active cases in the UAE. It is the first time this figure has fallen below 10,000 since the start of the year.

People queue for the vaccine near DIFC. The city has approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxfrd-AstraZeneca for use, and officials hope to have half the population vaccinated by late March. AFP

Abu Dhabi has vaccinated at least 60 per cent of teachers and school staff, many during a week-long vaccine drive in late January. Courtesy: Adek

A man receives a dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 at St Paul’s Church in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A vaccine is administered at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen hospital

Abu Dhabi has vaccinated at least 60 per cent of teachers and school staff, many during a week-long vaccine drive in late January. Courtesy: Adek

Airport personnel unload a coronavirus vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport on February 1, 2021. AFP

An Emirates Airlines Boeing 777 unloads a coronavirus vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport on February 1, 2021. The airline is part of the Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which includes also logistics giant DP World. Karim Sahib / AFP

People wait to enter a vaccination centre at Dubai's financial district on January 24, 2021. AFP

People queue for the vaccine near DIFC. The city has approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxfrd-AstraZeneca for use, and officials hope to have half the population vaccinated by late March. AFP

A teacher gives a thumbs up as he receives the Sinopharm vaccine in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Department of Education and Knowledge

A placard informs the public of the location of a designated Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's financial centre district. AFP

People in Dubai queue for a vaccine on January 24, 2021. AFP