Private sector’s role in underpinning the UAE’s vaccination programme

Private sector’s role in underpinning the UAE’s vaccination programme

More than four million people in the UAE have now been vaccinated against Covid-19. This is a remarkable achievement for a country of 10 million and a clear testament to the UAE leadership's ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of citizens and residents.

Our country understands that vaccinations, not vaccines, save lives, as indicated by the ambitious goal set out by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) to vaccinate half of the UAE's population by April, and the entire eligible population by the end of the year. With tens of thousands of people across the seven emirates receiving vaccinations every day, it seems that the UAE can achieve these targets.

That momentum has already started to invigorate economic activity. Dubai Economy, for example, expects to see a 4 per cent growth in household consumption year on year in 2021, following the launch of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Analysts have noted that activity in the UAE's non-oil private sector also grew in December 2020 due to increased sales and export demand, with new export orders growing at the strongest rate in 15 months.

Nevertheless, the recent increase in cases is a reminder that putting Covid-19 in the rear-view mirror takes a