On Sunday 16th May, officials from the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) have approved the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 12 to 15.
It follows stringent medical tests and clinical trials on the vaccine to check the efficacy for this age group before approving it for emergency use. As reported by state news agency WAM.
In January, MoHAP had said that all UAE citizens and residents aged 16 and above are eligible for vaccination under the National Vaccination Programme against Covid-19.
MoHAP, the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) have launched a free national vaccination campaign for all citizens and residents to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and possibly end it.
Last week, authorities in the UAE announced the eligibility criteria for Covid-19 vaccine exemptions. Exemption certificates will be issued by accredited health centers, clinics and hospitals in the country.
As of Wednesday 19th May, 11,704,191 covid vaccine doses have been administered. Also, covid cases stand at 550,000 and the total tests conducted are at 47.5 million and totally recovered at 530,085.
The emergency approval for vaccines for the 12-15 age group is now part of a larger effort to end covid transmission in the UAE once and for all, so we will return to normality again.
Emails have been sent out to parents and guardians of students eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID 19 vaccine, this allows them to apply for the students to get the vaccine.
Until then, make sure to stay safe, social distance and keep your masks up.
Published by Salman Suliman, writer for WSO Weekly.
Edited by Mariam Hazaa
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