UAE’s vaccine trial milestone sparks optimism

Vaccines play an effective role in addressing any pandemic. The UAE is a global pioneer in starting research and studies aimed at developing a safe and effective vaccine against Covid-19 in order to preserve the lives of millions of people around the world.

The fact that the world’s first Phase III trials of an inactivated vaccine for COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates have reached the 15,000 volunteers target in less than a month with individuals from 107 nationalities participating in the programme is a matter of pride for the nation.

Managed by G42 Healthcare in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), it is heartening that the trials successfully screened and vaccinated 15,000 volunteers with the first of two vaccine shots they are given during the process. The inactivated vaccine has been developed by Sinopharm CNBG, a leading vaccine manufacturer.

Since launching on July 16 in Abu Dhabi, the #4Humanity trials has well captured the imagination of the UAE’s multinational population eager to help fulfill the UAE leadership’s commitment to ovrcoming the pandemic through a global collaborative effort.

The overwhelming response by Emiratis and residents to the call for volunteers reflects the compassionate nature of the entire nation.

The volunteers encompass 107 nationalities and diverse demographics, including more than 4,500 Emiratis. Over 140 doctors, 300 nurses, and much more administrative and technical support staff are helping to facilitate the vaccine trial.

Easy process has helped. The volunteers have benefited from quick and simple protocols, enabling them to easily access walk-in centres at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi and Al Qarain Health Center in Sharjah to be registered, screened and administered their first vaccination in one visit.

The UAE’s wise leadership has successfully put the UAE on the map as a hub for scientific research, as it is now one of the first countries worldwide to reach this stage of clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Thanks to the leadership’s guidance, foreign research institutions have expressed keen interest in collaborating closely with the UAE to pursue scientific research.

Leaders are leading from the front. 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.

In his own words, “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.” Interestingly, in the first extension of the programme outside the UAE, hundreds of people are now volunteering for the Phase III trials in Bahrain, which are managed by G42 Healthcare with the Bahrain Ministry of Health.

These results will be part of the overall trials that began in the UAE and use the same inactivated vaccine from Sinopharm CNBG and identical clinical protocols.

All volunteers deserve praise for their service to humanity. Thanks to their participation in these historic trials, the world has taken a major step towards developing the first tested, safe vaccine.