Disabled Emirati man volunteers for Covid-19 vaccine trial

Ahmed Al Shaibani hopes to encourage others to follow in his footsteps

A volunteer undergoes a check-up before being accepted to the Covid-19 vaccine trial at Adnec. Victor Besa / The National

Vaccine volunteers at the Adnec volunteer facility. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers read information about the Covid-19 vaccine trial at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National

Vaccine volunteers wait to be screened at the Adnec facility. Victor Besa / The National

A volunteer has his heart rate checked after registering to take part in the Covid-19 clinical trial in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers wait to be screened and injected with the Covid-19 vaccine at Adnec. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers are led to a stall where they are screened and vaccinated as part of the Covid-19 vaccine trial in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers wait to be screened and injected with the Covid-19 vaccine at Adnec. Victor Besa / The National

Nurses update medical records as part of the Covid-19 vaccine trial in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A mother-of-three, 41, has volunteered as part of the Covid-19 vaccine trial because her husband is in the aviation industry, which has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

A volunteer, 26, takes part in the Covid-19 vaccine trial to give back and support the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers wait their turn to be screened and inoculated with the first of two Covid-19 vaccines. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers wait their turn to be inoculated with the first of two Covid-19 vaccines. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers register to take part in the Covid-19 vaccine trial in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Staff take a selfie in front of the monitor that displays the number of volunteers who have been vaccinated since the start if the trial. Victor Besa / The National

A monitor displays the number of volunteers who have received their first vaccine since the trial began. Victor Besa / The National

A volunteer waits her turn to get a medical check up at the Covid-19 vaccine trial facility in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers read information about the Covid-19 vaccine trial at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccine trial wait to be screened at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National

Loyalty to his country and a desire to help others drove Ahmed Al Shaibani to answer a call for volunteers in a Covid-19 vaccine trial in the Emirates.

The senior call centre officer, who works at Al Ain Hospital, became one of the tens of thousands to sign up for Phase 3 testing for an inactive vaccine.

The Emirati is disabled and insisted on taking part to serve his community. He hopes others in his position will too.

"I urge other [people with disabilities] to serve the UAE community and call on all members of society to take part in clinical trials because their contributions will result in ... the development of a coronavirus vaccine," he said.

"Participating in such trials is a national duty for all citizens and residents of the UAE."

In an interview with state media agency Wam, Mr Al Shaibani wished the UAE health and for the pandemic to end.

Mr Al Shaibani volunteered at the medical centre in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, where candidates are screened for potential health issues that may disqualify them for the trial.

The trial, recognised by the World Health Organisation, began in mid-July and is being carried out by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha), Department of Health Abu Dhabi and G42 Healthcare.

The vaccine was developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products and Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm. Phase 1 and 2 of the trials were successfully carried out in China.

Eligible volunteers, aged between 18 and 60, are given a general check-up before they are inoculated with the first of two vaccines that are administered over 28 days.

The volunteers are periodically monitored throughout this period and asked to keep a medical journal. Finally, they are tested to check if they have successfully developed antibodies against Covid-19.

To volunteer for the Abu Dhabi trial, register your details at 4humanity.ae or call 02 819 1111.