The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in cooperation with health authorities, has begun providing Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years.

The vaccine is administered as two doses, with the second dose given three weeks after the first.

In a statement, the ministry said that the vaccine is voluntary and not mandatory, pointing out the decision made based on the clinical evidence and the strict evaluation followed globally and locally, which complies with the approved international regulations.

The ministry reiterated that vaccines are safe and effective, and one of the best tools to protect society and help boost immunity, prevent complications, limit the need for hospitalization or ICU, especially in light of the new variants.

"The clinical trials of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has recently been approved by the ministry, have proven its safety and effectiveness for children," said Dr Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary of Public Health Sector at Ministry of Health and Prevention, and Chairman of the National Committee for the Implementation of the Provisions of International Health Regulations and Prevention of Pandemics.

"For several decades, children around the globe have been receiving safe vaccines against various diseases and viruses, and Covid-19 vaccines, including Pfizer, are no different than those vaccines.”

Al Rand added the carefully-studied decision is a significant step forward towards the Covid-19 recovery and the immunization of the wider community, urging parents to take their children to vaccine centres.

Vaccinating children will protect them and preserve the health of those around them, especially the elderly, as well as achieve the herd immunity necessary to limit the spread of the virus, he said. – TradeArabia News Service