Covid-19: UAE approves Pfizer jab for 12-15 age group

Abu Dhabi - The Ministry of Health and Prevention announces the decision

by Dhanusha Gokulan

Published: Thu 13 May 2021, 6:34 PM

Last updated: Fri 14 May 2021, 12:23 AM

The UAE on Thursday approved emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for the 12-15 age group.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) approved the emergency use of the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine for the 12 to 15 age group in line with the National Covid-19 Vaccination Plan, under the outcomes of clinical trials and a strict assessment conducted to approve the emergency local use of the vaccine.

The approval supports the national efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic and protect this age group, highlighting the UAE’s proactive approach to ensuring the community’s health and safety.

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Mohap, the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) launched a free national vaccination campaign for all citizens and residents to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The vaccine was recently cleared for use in adolescents between 12 and 15 in the US after a trial proved it safe and 100 per cent effective.

Lowering the vaccination age follows a series of steps that UAE had been taken to protect the youth. Just in January, it gave its nod to the use of the coronavirus vaccine for teenagers aged 16 and above. Previously, anyone aged under 18 was not allowed to take the jab.

The total doses of vaccines administered in the country now stand at 11.4 million as on Saturday.

By the end of 2021, everyone eligible for the vaccine should have already received the jab. It is a target the UAE has confirmed earlier this week.

So far, more than 72 per cent of the country’s eligible population have been vaccinated, since free vaccination was rolled out late last year.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

AFP