Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The national vaccination campaign in the UAE continues to achieve its goals, as more than 78.11% of the total eligible group has been vaccinated, and they are people over the age of 16.

This was revealed in the weekly briefing on the coronavirus situation in the UAE on Tuesday.

Furthermore, 84.59% of the elderly aged 60 years and over has been vaccinated, which is the priority group as they are more susceptible to the disease and its complications.

“As part of the proactive strategy to provide maximum protection for society, we emphasise that the priority to administer the booster dose of the vaccine will be for the elderly and people with chronic diseases at the first stage,” official said during the briefing.

“That is because they are more susceptible to get infected, this comes in-line with the announcement made by many countries about the importance of the booster dose,” official explained.

The booster dose is a dose of an additional booster vaccine after the administration of the basic doses is completed, with the aim of stimulating and strengthening immunity against the virus.

Priority for the booster dose is for the elderly and people with chronic diseases, especially in light of the spread and emergence of new mutants.

People will be assessed by the health authorities to ensure that they meet the requirements for obtaining the booster dose. These assessments will be made through advance appointment service.