Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed appears to have taken a trial vaccine for Covid-19.
The Foreign Minister tweeted a photo of himself on Friday giving the thumbs up while getting vaccinated, with the words, “A Corona vaccination is our way to return to a normal life.”
More than 31,000 volunteers in the UAE have taken part in clinical Phase 3 vaccine trials for a Chinese vaccine affiliated with state-owned China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).
A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases on Thursday found the vaccine was safe during Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials and produced antibodies in both participants up to the age of 80.
The study was not designed to assess how effective it is at preventing infection with SARS-CoV-2 so it was not possible to say whether enough antibodies were produced to ensure immunity.
The UAE's health minister, Abdulrahman Al Owais, was given the first dose of the vaccine last month. It was initially announced that it would be given to frontline health workers in emergency cases.
"By presenting this vaccine, we seek to provide all safety means for the heroes of the first line of defence,” said Mr Al Owais.
“We want to protect them from any dangers that they may face due to the nature of their work.”
The director general of the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, Obaid Al Shamsi, has also taken the vaccine.
"In alignment with the leadership's vision, the availability of this safe, effective vaccine will contribute to save and protect lives,'' said Mr Al Shamsi.
Other senior Abu Dhabi officials have taken the vaccine, including Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed, the chair of the emirate's executive office.
-
A volunteer undergoes a check-up before being accepted to the Covid-19 vaccine trial at Adnec. Victor Besa / The National -
Vaccine volunteers at the Adnec volunteer facility. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers read information about the Covid-19 vaccine trial at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National -
Vaccine volunteers wait to be screened at the Adnec facility. Victor Besa / The National -
A volunteer has his heart rate checked after registering to take part in the Covid-19 clinical trial in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers wait to be screened and injected with the Covid-19 vaccine at Adnec. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers are led to a stall where they are screened and vaccinated as part of the Covid-19 vaccine trial in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers wait to be screened and injected with the Covid-19 vaccine at Adnec. Victor Besa / The National -
Nurses update medical records as part of the Covid-19 vaccine trial in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
A mother-of-three, 41, has volunteered as part of the Covid-19 vaccine trial because her husband is in the aviation industry, which has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National -
A volunteer, 26, takes part in the Covid-19 vaccine trial to give back and support the UAE. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers wait their turn to be screened and inoculated with the first of two Covid-19 vaccines. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers wait their turn to be inoculated with the first of two Covid-19 vaccines. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers register to take part in the Covid-19 vaccine trial in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Staff take a selfie in front of the monitor that displays the number of volunteers who have been vaccinated since the start if the trial. Victor Besa / The National -
A monitor displays the number of volunteers who have received their first vaccine since the trial began. Victor Besa / The National -
A volunteer waits her turn to get a medical check up at the Covid-19 vaccine trial facility in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers read information about the Covid-19 vaccine trial at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National -
Volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccine trial wait to be screened at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National
