Abu Dhabi recently authorised the use of the Pfizer vaccine for kids aged 12 and above in the capital. And now, after Pfizer, UAE is all set to trial the Sinopharm vaccine in kids aged between 3 and 17. The test aims to study the immunity response, and here’s everything you must know about it.
Around 900 Children Will Take Part In The Trials
The department of Health Abu Dhabi has approved the trial of the Sinopharm vaccine. It will be conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported on Thursday.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention has begun a Sinopharm immune bridge study for children, following the vaccine’s effectiveness in reducing the infection rate and severity of symptoms among target groups. pic.twitter.com/RjEOL2QtFs
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 10, 2021
Around 900 children of different nationalities will take part in the trials. Each child will participate with the consent of their parents, and authorities will closely monitor them while keeping all the safety measures in mind. During the trial, parents and children will be provided with all the details at every step. On this, Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chairwoman of the National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee, who is leading the study, said,
“We want children and parents to understand every step of the process and also to know that we will be with them, supporting them, answering every question they may have, at any time.”
Over 100s’ Have Already Received Pfizer Jab In The UAE
Meanwhile, the Pfizer vaccine is made available in the UAE for kids aged 12-above and authorities are requesting the parents to get their kids inoculated if they fall under that age bracket. Several schools such as Gems have already made vaccines available for pupils aged between 12 and 15. And hundred of kids aged 16 and over have already been inoculated.
UAE has been way ahead on the vaccine curve in comparison to other countries, and speaking about his vaccine drive, Dr Ahmed Al Suwaidi, associate professor of paediatrics and infectious diseases at United Arab Emirates University, said,
“With vaccines now readily available to protect against Covid-19, we are much closer to ending the pandemic. In addition, children have been safely receiving vaccines for multiple diseases and viruses for generations. The Sinopharm vaccine is similar in concept to all of these vaccines and we look forward to seeing the results of this study and its effectiveness for children.”
Well, we hope that the trials go well and kids too can soon get the jab.
First Published: June 11, 2021 11:15 AM