A total of 220,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered Sunday, an all-time high for jabs given in a single 24-hour period since the launch of the National Vaccination Programme, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said on Sunday, January 31.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, commended the tremendous efforts made by all the parties behind the National Vaccination Programme, including the first-time heroes and participants, hailing as well the increased public awareness on the part of the UAE people and residents alike, and their positive response to the MoHAP’s plan to ensure the vaccine availability and acquired community immunity in a way that contains and mitigates coronavirus.

In Dubai, the emirate is soon set to administer the Sinopharm vaccine to Emirati citizens and Dubai residents who are aged 60 and above across facilities led by the Dubai Health Authority.

The move is in line with the DHA’s keenness to provide the public with an opportunity to select between various types of vaccines available in the emirate.

“Providing the Sinopharm vaccine is part of the DHA’s keenness to ensure the availability of COVID-19 vaccination services to all segments of the community, especially the older age groups who are considered to be among the high-risk categories. In the first phase of the launch of the vaccine, the DHA’s Contact Centre will reach out to those who already have pre-registered appointments for vaccination.” said Dr Farida Al Khaja, CEO of DHA’s Clinical Support Services and Nursing Sector and Chairperson of the COVID-19 Vaccination Steering Committee.