New UAE-approved Sinopharm vaccine effective against variants: MOHAP

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has approved the new vaccine following a study conducted here in the UAE on individuals who were previously vaccinated with two doses of the Sinopharm CNBG's inactivated vaccine.

The UAE-based study has also shown an immune response against emerging variants of the virus in those volunteers who had previously received two doses of the Sinopharm CNBG's inactivated vaccine.

The seroconversion rate was up to 100 per cent of neutralizing antibodies, along with high safety rates and no side effects recorded among all the participants.

The ministry added that the vaccine was suited to rapid production, easy storage and distribution.

The new vaccine will be produced and distributed by Hayat Biotech, a JV between G42 and Sinopharm CNBG.

This comes at a time when reports indicate that the UAE is the world's largest country in terms of the coverage rate of the Covid-19 vaccine, with over 22 million doses administered until December 23, 2021.

The ministry noted that the positive outcomes achieved of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, and the commitment of community members to get vaccinated have been an important turning point in the fight against the virus, entering the recovery phase and returning to normal life. 

The ministry emphasized the importance for community members to remain committed to preventive and healthy behaviors to preserve the gains and immunize the community from any evolved mutations.