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 Are the vaccines successful against the latest strain of Covid?

Across the seven emirates of the UAE, a major Covid-19 vaccine program is underway. Residents are vaccinated for free against the infection. There are two vaccine types available in the UAE: Sinopharm and BioNTech-Pfizer. On Wednesday, Dr. Laila Al Jasmi, Head of the Immunization Department at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, presented the most relevant information about Covid-19 vaccines. The main questions answered are here:

Q: Where will people go in the UAE to get the Covid-19 vaccine?

A: Under the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Covid-19 vaccine is given in public hospitals and private healthcare facilities throughout the Emirates. Our goal is to concentrate on immunization for the highest possible proportion of the population.

Q: Who in the UAE will get the Covid-19 vaccine?

A: For all UAE citizens and immigrants aged 18 and over, the Covid-19 vaccine is free of charge.

Q: After having vaccinated, is it appropriate to do a Covid-19 test?

A: In general, after administering the vaccine, a Covid-19 test is not necessary. But suppose there are any particular cases or investigations that need to be reported by health officials or other bodies. In that case, it is possible to tell a vaccinated individual to perform the Covid-19 examination.

Q: Is the vaccine safe against the current emergence of the recent Covid-19 strain?

A: There are currently no details available, although this will be decided after the ongoing analysis, which could take a month.

Q: Since getting the vaccine, are there any significant side effects?

A: None. But there are some common side effects, like all other drugs or vaccines, such as swelling or discomfort in the injection area, nausea, fever, or headache. This can be witnessed suddenly or after a few days have elapsed after getting the vaccine, and it will not last for long.

Q: Do individuals who have been infected and recovered with the coronavirus still need to undergo the vaccine, or are their bodies immune and free from the virus?

A: Yeah. Yes. Because of the extreme health hazards associated with Covid-19 and the fact that coronavirus re-infection is likely, all persons must undergo the vaccine regardless of whether they have been infected with Covid-19.

Q: For infants, the vaccine is not yet recommended. Are there any other citizen groups who are reluctant to take the vaccine?

A: For now, the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety have been tested for adults aged 18 and over. Kids and teenagers should not get vaccinated. Any other classes that will still need to take additional factors into account when determining whether to undergo the Covid-19 vaccine are pregnant mothers, allergy sufferers, and people with chronic medical conditions.

Q: The vaccine against Covid-19 is given in two doses. What is the time from dose one to amount two?

A: There are two doses of the vaccine, with 21 to 28 days between the first and second doses.

Q: In between the two doses, is a Covid-19 test required?

A: No.

Q: What are the various types of vaccines that are being offered in the UAE? And what distinction does it make between these vaccines?

A: The China-developed Sinopharm and Pfitzer-BioNTech are the vaccines being performed in the UAE. The distinction is that different companies make them, but they look very similar, both in terms of protection and production.

Q: How do individuals enroll at the centers to get the Covid-19 vaccine?

A: When you want to get vaccinated, no advance registration or appointment is necessary. You need to visit vaccination centers in hospitals or private health facilities to get enrolled by officials there and then get the vaccine.