Covid-19: UAE national vaccination campaign achieves 52.46% of target category

The national Covid-19 vaccination campaign has achieved a goal of vaccinating 52.46 per cent of the target category of the population, the health minister confirmed.

The country has provided nearly seven million vaccine doses to more than 205 medical centres, making the UAE a leading country in terms of vaccinating its people, according to daily reports on the campaign, official news agency WAM reported.

“The campaign that was launched at the start of the year around the country, upon the directives of the country’s leadership, has vaccinated nearly 70.21 per cent of elderly people and those with chronic diseases, who are being prioritised,” said Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention.

However, everyone must adhere to relevant precautionary and preventive measures to protect the community’s safety, even after being vaccinated, Al Owais added.

Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesperson of the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA), also urged everyone to avoid majlis during Ramadan, while the distribution of meals between families must be avoided. Only one family living in the same house can have iftar and suhoor meals together.

Read: Avoid evening gatherings in the UAE during Ramadan 2021 – NCEMA

Regarding Tarawih prayers, they could take place according to current and previous precautionary measures covering prayers, such as a 30-minute limit.

Mosques will be closed immediately after prayers, while women’s prayer areas, services and health facilities and outdoor prayer corners in mosques will be closed.

“We urge everyone to cooperate and adhere to relevant procedures and instructions. Intensive inspection campaigns will take place during the Holy Month, and whoever violates declared procedures, whether individuals and institutions, will be subject to legal action,” he stressed.

“The pandemic has created a new reality, but we can enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of the Holy Month while adhering to the precautionary measures. We can still be in contact with our loved ones despite social distancing via social media and digital platforms. Elderly people and those with chronic diseases should avoid gatherings,” he said.

He urged the public to get their information from official credible sources and refrain from circulating rumours.

The UAE reported 2,018 Covid-19 cases on March 16, scaling the nationwide count to 430,313. Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 1,406, while recoveries tally 410,736.

آخر الإحصائيات حول إصابات فيروس كوفيد 19 في الإمارات

The latest update of Coronavirus (Covid 19) in the UAE#نلتزم_لننتصر #التزامك_حياتك#ملتزمون_يا_وطن#كوفيد19#وزارة_الصحة_ووقاية_المجتمع_الإمارات#we_commit_until_we_succeed #covid19#mohap_uae pic.twitter.com/griH4pkiv7

— وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع الإماراتية – MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) March 16, 2021