UAE launches new programme to provide Covid-19 vaccines for several countries

The UAE’s Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and the Tamouh Healthcare Company have launched a joint initiative to provide Covid-19 vaccines to several countries.

The two entities signed an MoU at the ERC’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi to enhance cooperation and coordination to carry out the initiative on a large scale regionally and globally.

Under the MoU, Tamouh will provide the vaccines that will be donated to countries and target groups to combat the pandemic, in addition to vaccinating the target groups in Abu Dhabi.

The MoU also stipulates that the ERC will, in coordination with the concerned authorities in the country, choose the countries that will benefit from these vaccines.

Tamouh meanwhile will be responsible for  the delivery of the vaccines to the specified countries, which includes the costs and expenses of shipping and other logistical operations, reported state-run news agency WAM.

Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, secretary-general of the ERC, said that the new initiative will boost humanitarian partnerships in vital local sectors, particularly in the health field, which is currently considered a priority in the organisation’s activities.

“This joint initiative would contribute to fulfilling the aspirations of many people to obtain the vaccine and protect them from the pandemic,” said Al Falahi.

Earlier this month, officials in the UAE confirmed that production of the Hayat-Vax Covid-19 vaccine had begun in the country. Hayat-Vax [Hayat means life in Arabic], is the first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine in the region that will be manufactured by a joint venture between Sinopharm CNBG, and G42.

A new manufacturing plant in KIZAD will over its phased development have a production capacity of 200 million doses per annum across three filling lines and five automated packaging line.

Read: UAE to begin manufacturing ‘Hayat-Vax’ Covid-19 vaccine

There are four Covid-19 vaccines currently approved for use within the UAE, including Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Sputnik V.

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention has confirmed that as of Saturday, May 22, the total number of doses administered stands at 12,034,349 with vaccine distribution rate of 121.68 doses per 100 people.