Pfizer vaccine ‘completely safe’ for UAE residents who got Sinopharm shot: Experts

Pfizer vaccine ‘completely safe’ for UAE residents who got Sinopharm shot: Experts

Doctors in the United Arab Emirates have moved to reassure residents who have had two doses of the Sinopharm that taking a third 'booster shot' of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is completely safe and will offer an extra layer of protection against COVID-19.

The UAE announced last week that they have made the Pfizer vaccine available to those initially immunized with Sinopharm vaccine to offer maximum protection against the coronavirus.

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The Gulf states, which have vaccinated large portions of their populations, initially started inoculating residents and citizens with the Sinopharm COVID-19 shot before later introducing other vaccines.

In May, the UAE also announced it is offering a third dose of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccinefor those who received their second dose at least six months ago.

On Friday, it was announced that residents could also take the Pfizer/BioNTech as a booster shot.

Neighboring Gulf state Bahrain announced similar measures.

In the UAE, doctors told Al Arabiya English that booster shots are part of the country's proactive strategy to provide maximum protection.

Dr Rajesh Kumar Gupta, a specialist in internal medicine at Burjeel Specialty Hospital in Sharjah, said the UAE Ministry of Health has announced that people who have completed six months