The emirate of Dubai targets to vaccinate 70 percent of its population by the end of 2021 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, according to a top official of the committee for COVID-19 vaccinations.
“We are targeting to vaccinate approximately 70 per cent of the population of Dubai by the end of 2021. We want to reach the herd immunity that is required,” Reuters quoted Farida al-Khaja, chairwoman of Dubai’s steering committee for COVID-19 vaccinations, as saying.
The second phase of the vaccination campaign using Pfizer-BioNTech will begin next April. It will be free for all citizens and residents, according to Khaja.
Dubai campaign started last week when the UAE approved the emergency registration of the vaccine. Among the firsts to receive the jab were senior citizens, frontliners and those with chronic medical condition.
The vaccination drive was launched by the Dubai Health Authoity, in coordination with Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management and the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre.