COVID-19: Is one COVID-19 vaccine better than another? UAE official responds

COVID-19: Is one COVID-19 vaccine better than another? UAE official responds

Dubai: Out of all the COVID-19 vaccines available in the UAE, is one better than the other? Gulf News raised this reader query and others with Dr Farida Al Hosani, Department Manager, Communicable Diseases in Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and Official Spokesperson for Health Sector in the UAE, who provided clarity on the matter. Responding to the query, Dr Farida said: "There are multiple vaccines approved and all are effective against COVID-19 virus." There are multiple vaccines approved and all are effective against COVID-19 virus. A study published in the Lancet, a weekly peer-reviewed medical journal, stated that the first dose of the Pfizer vaccination is 85 per cent effective against coronavirus infection between two and four weeks after inoculation. Since the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is also approved for use here, would the authorities look into this study and consider fractional dosing to extend the supply of vaccine? "The new scientific information in regards to number of doses will be reviewed by the regulatory body and technical committee and the protocols or guidelines will be updated accordingly," Dr Farida said. On whether the vaccine may be made available to children below the age of 16, she said: "Currently the vaccine