Dubai is planning to inoculate 70 percent of its population with the coronavirus vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech by the end of 2021, in a campaign free of charge for citizens and residents, a health official said. In contrast with the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi, which rolled out a vaccine made by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) to the public, Dubai followed Saudi Arabia, which earlier this month became the first Arab country to use the Pfizer vaccine. "We are targeting to vaccinate approximately 70 percent of the population of Dubai by the end of 2021. We want to reach the herd immunity that is required," Farida al-Khaja, chairwoman of Dubai's steering committee for vaccinations, told Reuters. Khaja said a second phase would kick off in April and would be open to all citizens and residents.

Source: The Standard December 29, 2020 08:15 UTC