UAE urges residents to get vaccine booster shots

UAE has detected its first case of the Covid-19 Omicron variant and the country’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has reiterated the importance of vaccination.

The ministry confirmed that the African woman, who became the first Omicron case in the UAE, was fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

First reported to the World Health Organisation by South Africa, The new variant has quickly spread across continents, prompting travel restrictions and border closures.

The ministry stressed the need for residents to get the vaccine booster shot, which will “ensure immunity and protection” from Covid-related fatalities and severity “especially in light of the emergence of new variants”.

The UAE recently announced the availability of booster shots of Pfizer-BioNTech and Sputnik vaccines for all residents aged 18 and over. These boosters will be offered to those who have been vaccinated with Sinopharm as well.

Residents can take the additional jab six months after their second dose.