The UAE sustains its relentless effort to achieve its herd community with a twin measure.
One is the approval to offer a third, booster shot to fully vaccinated residents who received the Sinopharm vaccine—six months after the second jab. The other is the move to allow emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 12-15.
Speaking about the first measure, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Official Spokesperson for the UAE’s Health Sector and Director of the Communicable Diseases Department of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), stated that priority will be given to the elderly and individuals with chronic diseases.
“As part of the state’s proactive strategy to provide maximum protection for society, the door has been opened for the public to receive an additional supportive dose of Sinopharm vaccine for people who have received the vaccine previously and who have completed more than six months on the second dose,” said Dr. Al Hosani.
Meanwhile, the approval of emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 12-15, effectively expands the UAE’s vaccination age range. This comes after the results of a series of succinct clinical trials conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of the vaccine among the age group. Prior to this, only teenagers aged 16 and above were allowed to take the COVID-19 jab of the same brand in the UAE.
Dr. Al Hosani shared that this measure will help parents send their children back to their respective classes on actual school grounds, a ray of normalcy amid the global pandemic.
“Expanding vaccine coverage allows us to provide vaccines to the biggest proportion of the population in order to reach herd immunity. It is important as children go back to schools. To parents, rest assured this vaccine will help us all feel safe and protect the health of children. It will reduce burden on parents who have children learning online,” explained Dr. Al Hosani.
Strict enforcement of preventive measures in the UAE reflects on the country’s daily COVID-19 numbers which is now on a downward trend. As of press time, the UAE’s current average is now only around 1,200 cases daily, which is over 60 percent lower than February 2021’s average of 3,000 cases per day.
Dr. Al Hosani stated that the community’s cooperation has been crucial in the nation’s winning fight against COVID-19. “We thank all members of the community for showing a sense of commitment and ethical responsibility by cooperating and adhering to the precautionary measures, underscoring the community’s cooperation with the national efforts to contain the virus and accelerate recovery. We recently registered significant achievements and there are still more achievements to accomplish in the coming period to maintain the country’s gains. Therefore, everyone must cooperate to achieve herd immunity,” said Dr. Al Hosani.
Relaxed measures
Dubai has spearheaded the move to encourage resident to get fully vaccinated by bringing back live entertainment and events that bring people together, still with safety precautions in place.
The one-month trial, which began last May 17, will allow vaccinated residents to attend and participate in concerts, social and institutional events, as well as community sports events. This also marks a restart in Dubai’s international sporting events, as fans, spectators who have received the jab will be allowed to attend sports events provided will present proof that they have already received both doses of the COVID-19 jab. The rule likewise applies to all personnel and staff who will organize these events.
Attendance capacities for these events have been increased to up to 70 percent. For outdoor events, this means that the cap is now at 1,500 for indoor events, and 2,500 for outdoor events.
Safe social gatherings
Vaccinated residents who wish to host jovial wedding ceremonies and receptions at wedding halls in Dubai can now do so with a maximum attendance of 100 individuals at wedding venues. Meanwhile, those who chose to host wedding receptions within their homes can now invite up to 30 individuals, provided that everyone follows the country’s precautionary measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing.
Hotels and dining venues also enjoy increased capacities with the new implemented measures. Entertainment facilities and venues can now allow up to 70 percent of their maximum capacity, while hotel occupancy in Dubai is now back to its pre-COVID ceiling at 100 percent.
Residents who enjoy dining at restaurants can now sit together with a maximum cap of 10 per table. Dubai has also allowed the resumption of brunches, provided that all establishments observe strict adherence to the precautionary measures. Meanwhile, individuals who enjoy shisha across coffee shops are now allowed up to 6 people per table. Live entertainment across these venues will now be allowed as well within the one-month trial period, provided that all performers and entertainers have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Individuals who have taken both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine only need to ensure that their vaccination status is active by taking a PCR test. A ‘E’ icon would show up if the individual took part in the recent vaccination programs, while a ‘star’ icon would appear for those who participation during the UAE’s vaccine trials. These icons would remain in the Al Hosn App for 7 days.
