UAE vaccinated 15,000 volunteers from 107 nationalities in phase III COVID-19 vaccine trial
- 13 Aug 2020
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The UAE's Phase III COVID-19 Inactivated Vaccine Trial achieved its target of 15,000 volunteers within less than a month, marking a major milestone towards developing the first tested, safe vaccine.
People of 107 nationalities participated in the trials, reflecting the diversity of the population and widespread national support for the UAE leadership’s commitment to overcoming the pandemic through a global collaborative effort.
Volunteers will receive their second vaccine shot in the coming weeks, and undergo regular health checks with full ongoing support from over 140 doctors, 300 nurses, and many more support staff involved in the trials.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Health praised the volunteers.
The Health Department said, “Thanks to the overwhelming response for volunteer registrations for the #4humanity vaccination programme, we have temporarily suspended all new registrations until Sunday 16 August. Both ADNEC and Al Qarain Center continue to remain open for existing volunteer scheduled appointments daily. Volunteers can still register through the portal www.4humanity.ae.”
Commenting on the achievement of this milestone, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said, "This is a very proud day for everyone associated with these trials and we are looking forward to continuing to play an integral role in the work to come in the months ahead."
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"Securing this milestone is a testament to the commitment and partnership of the relevant authorities working together to conduct the largest possible number of medical tests and providing the necessary care for those infected, while simultaneously strengthening the UAE’s cooperation with international partners to develop a safe vaccine against the disease."
Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, the Chairman of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, was the first individual in the world to commence the trial of Phase III inactivated vaccine for COVID-19 and has already received the first and second shot.
He added, "I was enormously proud to have been the first volunteer and since then it has been truly heartwarming to see how the nation has pulled together, helping us achieve our target of participants in just four weeks since the trials began. We are a nation of extraordinary people, one that individuals from all over the world call home, and together we are committed to finding a global solution for COVID-19."