5,000th volunteer vaccinated in UAE Covid-19 vaccine trials

The world's first Phase III trials of an vaccine for Covid-19 being held in the UAE have reached a major milestone as over 5,000 volunteers have now received their first vaccination.
The 5000th vaccination was given in the presence of Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, acting Under-Secretary of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, at the recently built walk-in registration, screening and testing centre at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Adnec. Dr Al Kaabi was the second participant in the vaccination programme and received his second shot this week.
The trials began in Abu Dhabi on July 16 and are being managed by G42 Healthcare in partnership with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha). The inactivated vaccine has been developed by Sinopharm CNBG, the world's sixth-largest vaccine manufacturer.
A sense of nationwide pride and shared commitment has led to over 80 nationalities in the community to volunteer, inspired by the UAE leadership's commitment to overcoming the pandemic through a global collaborative effort.

Commenting on the success of the trials to date, Dr Nawal Ahmed Alkaabi, UAE Principal Investigator, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City CMO and Chairperson of the National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee, said: "This milestone marks a significant achievement for the ongoing clinical trials and is testament to the global commitment to humanity of everyone who calls the UAE home. "We reached the 5,000 vaccinations faster than anticipated and believe that our trials of the inactivated vaccine are moving faster than comparable trials processes anywhere in the world thanks to the winning combination of a national spirit of volunteerism and the strength of the UAE's healthcare system."