Picture used for illustrative for purpose only.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) have announced the opening of receiving applications for tourist visas for vaccinated tourists from all countries as of Monday August 30, 2021.

Applicant must be received full doses of COVID-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization.

The step comes in line with the UAE's strategy in creating a balance between public health and various vital sectors, and in support of national efforts aimed at achieving sustainable recovery and boosting the economic sector.

This decision includes countries from which entry was previously prohibited.

Rapid PCR test at the airport remains mandate, while the previous requirements will remain in force for non-vaccinated groups, including the excluded non-vaccinated groups.

Vaccination certificates for travellers wishing to enjoy the advantages obtained by individuals who receive the vaccine in the country, can be registered via the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship platform or the Al Hosn app.  

The ICA webpage for seeking approval: https://smartservices.ica.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/registerArrivals

The WHO approved vaccines are:

There are several safe and effective vaccines that prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19.
As of 3 June 2021, WHO has evaluated that the following vaccines against COVID-19 have met the necessary criteria for safety and efficacy:

— AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine/ Covishield
— Johnson and Johnson
— Moderna
— Pfizer/BionTech
— Sinopharm
— Sinovac

Gulf Today looked into the data of the inoculation drive and revealed that five vaccines have been administered in the country.
They are:

Sinopharm

In December 2020, the UAE Health Ministry officially registered the coronavirus vaccine produced by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm.
It is believed it was 86 per cent effective according to analysis of third-phase trials.
Sinopharm was the first COVID vaccine approved in the UAE.

Pfizer-BioNTech

On Dec.22, 2020, UAE announced the emergency registration of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) started its free vaccination drive against COVID-19 using this vaccine from the next.

Sputnik V

On Jan. 21, 2021, the UAE announced its approval of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in the UAE.
The vaccine is based on human adenoviral vector-based platform.

Its effectiveness against COVID-19 is confirmed at 91.4 per cent, while its efficacy against severe cases of the disease is 100 per cent.

Oxford-AstraZeneca

In February 2021, Dubai Health Authority added the AstraZeneca vaccine to its authorised list of Covid-19 vaccines provided at medical facilities.
The first shipment of the vaccine was received from India, in cooperation with the Indian Foreign Ministry.

Moderna

In July 2021, the UAE approved emergency use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

The UAE is making concerted efforts to keep the virus in check.

The move was made after clinical trials and approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The authorities are clearly concerned about the general wellbeing and health of the residents.

The UAE authorities said the rise of COVID mutants was responsible for spike in cases.

Recently, there has been increased talk about the Delta mutant and what made it worrying is that the speed of its spread was high compared to the previous mutant.

International studies indicate that the transmissibility of the Delta mutant has increased by about 40-60%.

Who should get vaccinated?

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe for most people 18 years and older, including those with pre-existing conditions of any kind, including auto-immune disorders. These conditions include: hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary, liver and kidney disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.