The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE has announced that the health authorities have vaccinated 800,000 since the starting of the vaccination drive.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and health authorities announced the launch of a national campaign calling for the people of the UAE to take the vaccination, with priority being given to the elderly or those with chronic diseases.

In line with the ministry’s plan to provide the vaccine to more than 50 per cent of the country's population, the authorities announced that a total of 61,396 doses we given in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of the doses that were provided today 887,697.

The vaccine is now available for all community members, except the following categories:

• Pregnant women

• Nursing mothers

• People with immunodeficiency diseases

• Woman planning to become pregnant within the near future (3 months from taking the vaccine)

• Children under the age of 18 years

• Those who are allergic (to any vaccine, food, medicine, or substance or those who carry self-injectable adrenaline)

READ MORE

Abu Dhabi's first volunteers take Russian COVID-19 vaccine in UAE trials

COVID-19 vaccine available at 97 health centres in Abu Dhabi

UAE reports records 2,988 coronavirus cases and 5 deaths

The health authorities have vowed to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The UAE also reported a spike in COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours.

The ministry revealed 2,988 new cases of the coronavirus in the country.

The government said it would prioritise the vaccination of young people who are over 18 years.

“The state has been keen to provide vaccinations to groups of young people and people who are 18 years of age and over, and they contribute more to spreading the disease due to the nature of their lives and the activities they perform. We believe that it is necessary to provide them with the vaccine to limit the increase in cases in the next stage," health official said.

The vaccine is provided in government and private health facilities and vaccination centres and drive-by facilities, an innovative method launched by the UAE to ensure procedures for receiving the vaccine are available to the largest segment of society.

Vaccinations protect children and adults from certain infectious diseases and dangerous complications, thus leading to a healthy society free from diseases and epidemics.