Hundreds of pupils and university students in Abu Dhabi have been immunised against Covid-19 at a pop-up clinic for over-12s that opened at Yas Mall on Tuesday.
Children have seized the opportunity to safeguard their health and that of others before the widespread return to classrooms for the new academic year next month.
The temporary centre was launched by Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge in partnership with the emirate’s Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and Yas Mall.
It will remain open each day from noon to 8pm until Saturday, August 7.
Staff administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and can book appointments for second doses.
Inoculations for children are also available at Seha and Mubadala vaccination centres.
“I took today the first step towards a safe return to school, especially as this is the first time that I return to face-to-face learning since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Omar Ahmad Adnan, 14.
“I am already looking forward to meeting my friends and teachers whom I did not meet all last year. I would like to encourage my friends to get the vaccine as it guarantees our safe return to school, and help protect our community.”
Fellow pupil Hamdan Obaid echoed the sentiment after receiving the shot with his younger brother.
“We are excited to be able to return to school for the next academic year,” Hamdan said.
“We are fully aware that getting the vaccine is a key enabler for a safe return to school. I miss the times I used to have with my friends during break times, and the unique learning experience in classroom.”
Vaccination strategy is central to back-to-school plan
The centre was launched to boost vaccination rates among pupils before the resumption of in-person lessons.
From August 20, people over the age of 16 will be allowed to enter schools, nurseries and universities in Abu Dhabi only if fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
The decision does not apply to those with a vaccination exemption registered on Al Hosn app, nor to children aged 15 and under.
Authorities, however, are encouraging pupils aged 12 and above to be inoculated before returning to class.
UAE steps up efforts to immunise children
On Monday, the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention approved the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for use in children between 3 and 17.
Its decision was taken after a trial involving 900 children in Abu Dhabi.
“The decision comes after clinical trials and extensive evaluations and is based on the emergency-use authorisation and local evaluations,” the ministry said.
On Sunday, officials thanked the children who were part of the study to monitor effectiveness and side effects, describing them as heroes.
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Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury
Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')
Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)
Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
RESULTS
Argentina 4 Haiti 0
Peru 2 Scotland 0
Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
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