People vaccinated against Covid-19 can still contract and spread the virus so must continue to be cautious, a UAE health official said.
Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the UAE’s government health authorities, said vaccinated people should still be as “rigorous” in their hand washing, mask wearing and physical distancing to protect themselves and others.
"Although the risk is less, there is still a risk that we should not underestimate," she told The National.
“Vaccinated people might still be able to transmit the disease to other family members or work colleagues, who may develop complications, particularly if they did not take the vaccine.”
With cases sharply rising across the country, authorities increased the frequency of testing needed for vaccinated people to be eligible for exemptions – related to international travel, quarantine and exposure to a positive case – from once a month to once a week.
Some might be reluctant and I advise them to reconsider. They have two choices: to get the infection and be prone to complications, or take the vaccine
Vaccinated people are entitled to some exemptions once they take a PCR test, 28 days after receiving their second dose. Their eligibility is indicated by a circled E on the Al Hosn app. This disappears a week after testing and can be renewed on undergoing another PCR test.
Dr Al Hosani said the increase in testing was not related to vaccine efficacy.
“The vaccine is effective and results have been shared,” she said.
“The weekly testing is only to keep the E status but there is no routine testing recommended and it will vary based on work requirements.”
The Sinopharm vaccine is available on a free, voluntary basis for every adult Emirati and UAE resident in the country. Local trials have indicated it is 86 per cent effective against Covid-19, while wider tests by the Chinese pharmaceutical company that developed it indicated 79 per cent efficacy.
Local authorities have said the vaccine is 100 per cent effective at preventing severe cases of Covid-19.
“The risk of getting complications goes down to almost zero if you get the vaccine. In other words, the people who took the vaccine are at very low risk from developing complications,” Dr Al Hosani said
“Based on studies, we have seen that it still very important for individuals who take the vaccine to continue precautionary measures, like any other member of the community. They need to continue wearing masks and keep their distance.”
She said health authorities and researchers were now studying antibody response, in particular how long it might last.
Antibody tests are available at public and private hospitals for people who have had the virus or been vaccinated to check whether they have developed immunity.
“It will be the doctor’s decision if the person will need additional doses [of the vaccine],” Dr Al Hosani said.
Last week, the UAE lowered the minimum age limit for people to be vaccinated from 18 to 16 to encourage more people to be immunised.
“The vaccine is safe for 16 year olds but priority remain to be for the elderly and people with chronic illnesses,” she said.
To help the country in its recovery and prevent more cases, Dr Al Hosani advised people not to delay being vaccinated.
“Time is critical as we see a rise in cases. We want to cover as much as possible. Some individuals might be reluctant and I advise them to reconsider because they have two choices: to get the infection and be prone to complications or take the vaccine.”
She said the increase in daily cases in the Emirates could be seen in almost every country and was down to the holiday season and the emergence of more contagious variants.
“The third reason is individuals not following precautionary measures,” she said.
Asked whether vaccinated people were acting with a false sense of security, she said it was too soon to say.
“It is too early to assume that people who took the vaccine were infected,” she said.
“It will take time until we see the effect of the vaccine. We are close, with more than two million vaccinated and 21.8 [doses] per 100 people, which is a good success in one month.”
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Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
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Game Of Thrones Season Seven: A Bluffers Guide
Want to sound on message about the biggest show on television without actually watching it? Best not to get locked into the labyrinthine tales of revenge and royalty: as Isaac Hempstead Wright put it, all you really need to know from now on is that there’s going to be a huge fight between humans and the armies of undead White Walkers.
The season ended with a dragon captured by the Night King blowing apart the huge wall of ice that separates the human world from its less appealing counterpart. Not that some of the humans in Westeros have been particularly appealing, either.
Anyway, the White Walkers are now free to cause any kind of havoc they wish, and as Liam Cunningham told us: “Westeros may be zombie land after the Night King has finished.” If the various human factions don’t put aside their differences in season 8, we could be looking at The Walking Dead: The Medieval Years.
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The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
