ABU DHABI —The health ministry in the United Arab Emirates announced on Wednesday that 118,928 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were given over the past 24 hours, taking the total number of doses administered in the country 1,394,580, with a rate of vaccine distribution of 14.10 doses per 100 people. The move is in line with the ministry's plan to provide the vaccine to all members of the public to acquire herd immunity, which will help reduce the number of cases and control the virus. The ministry also said that it is now working on a plan to increase the number of centers offering the COVID-19 vaccine following the high turnout of people willing to take the vaccine. "Surpassing the one million vaccine doses administered to the public in a record time is yet another testament to the community's trust in the efficiency and effectiveness of the measures taken by the UAE government. "It also strengthens the public confidence in the country's health system as well as in the capabilities of the UAE to protect the health of its people; enhances the spirit of optimism, and boosts the levels of reassurance that the recovery phase is around the coroner," the ministry said. As soon as the nationwide vaccination drive began, the ministry allocated several centers for obtaining the vaccine and provided these with well-trained cadres as well as with modern medical equipment, in cooperation with health authorities. The ministry noted that all community groups (citizens and residents) can take the vaccine, especially the elderly and people with chronic diseases. This is to further support the UAE's comprehensive and integrated efforts being made to enhance the community's immunity against the COVID-19 pandemic.
