• A Dubai ambulance worker is vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in Dubai.
    A Dubai ambulance worker is vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in Dubai.
  • An older resident receives her first shot at Zabeel Health Centre on December 27, 2020.
    An older resident receives her first shot at Zabeel Health Centre on December 27, 2020.
  • The vaccine is expected to be rolled out to all age groups once people in the essential categories have been vaccinated.
    The vaccine is expected to be rolled out to all age groups once people in the essential categories have been vaccinated.
  • A nurse holds a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for use by Dubai's emergency and crisis authority and the federal Ministry of Health.
    A nurse holds a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for use by Dubai's emergency and crisis authority and the federal Ministry of Health.
  • An employee from Roads and Transport Authority receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Dubai.
    An employee from Roads and Transport Authority receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Dubai.
  • A woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.
    A woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.
  • The city has six vaccine centres where the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is available.
    The city has six vaccine centres where the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is available.
  • A man waits to receive the first of two doses at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.
    A man waits to receive the first of two doses at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.
  • A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.
    A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.
  • A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.
    A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.
  • A vial of the vaccine is seen at Barsha Health Centre. AFP
    A vial of the vaccine is seen at Barsha Health Centre. AFP
  • A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at al-Barsha Health Centre in Dubai. AFP
    A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at al-Barsha Health Centre in Dubai. AFP

People can donate blood two weeks after Covid-19 shot as appeals made for more donations


Georgia Tolley
  • English
  • Arabic

People can donate blood 14 days after the first or second dose of any Covid-19 vaccine.

The reassurance came as appeals were made on Thursday for more donors.

Medics reiterated that donations can be given safely without fear of contracting or passing on coronavirus.

In April, the Abu Dhabi's blood bank fell to an all-time low, as donors feared contracting the virus.

"We have ensured that the blood donation process is safe and efficient, in line with global best practice for donors," said Dr Marwan Al Kaabi, acting group chief operations officer at Abu Dhabi Health Services (Seha).

"During Covid-19, we introduced additional, robust, safety and precautionary measures at the blood banks."

Blood is in constant demand at Latifa Hospital where donors can call in to give blood for use in hospitals around the UAE. Ravindranath K / The National
Blood is in constant demand at Latifa Hospital where donors can call in to give blood for use in hospitals around the UAE. Ravindranath K / The National

Medics introduced strict rules to tackle coronavirus such as thermal scanning, social distancing and deep sanitisation.

To date, there is no data or evidence that the virus can be transmitted through blood.

Thousands of people need blood transfusions every day, and some patients such as those diagnosed with thalassemia or sickle cell anemia require blood therapy every three weeks. Each donor contributes to saving the lives of at least three people.

"It is vital for all members of our community to regularly donate blood," said Dr Al Kaabi. "Blood is our lifeline and our blood banks need a consistent supply of blood to protect the interests of the entire community."

“There are currently no substitutes for blood therapy, and all members of the society must consider the possibility and day where they, a friend, or family member would require a blood transfusion too.”

The aim of Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Services is to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of blood inventory to support the needs of 50 public and private hospitals in the emirate.

Both the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain banks welcome donors from Saturday to Thursday.

The Abu Dhabi branch is open from 7:00am to 10:00pm, while the Al Ain branch is open from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

For more information on blood donation visit the Seha website.

Specs

Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)

Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)

Saturday

Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)

Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)

Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)

Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)

Sunday

Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)

Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)

Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)

Results

Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent

Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent

Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent