Sheikh Nahyan latest Cabinet minister to receive Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine

The Minister of Tolerance received the first of two shots of the Chinese vaccine trialled in UAE

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak receives the first of two shots of a vaccine that was trialled in the UAE. Wam

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak became the latest Cabinet minister to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, which is undergoing Phase 3 trial in the UAE.

State news agency Wam shared pictures on Wednesday of the Minister of Tolerance receiving the vaccine, manufactured by the Chinese drug maker, Sinopharm.

The vaccine requires two shots, several weeks apart, followed by an antibody test to determine if the person has developed resistance to the coronavirus.

So far, the vaccine has been rolled out to frontline medical workers, senior officials and some members of the Cabinet.

It was approved for limited use by the UAE government after Phase 3 trials based in Abu Dhabi. Overall 31,000 volunteers received shots during the trial, which was extended to Jordan and Bahrain in limited numbers.

Last week, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, received the Covid-19 vaccine and posted the image on social media on Monday.

"I thank the medical staff. I wish everyone safety," he said.

Earlier this month, the UAE and Russia said the Emirates would host a trial of the Sputnik V vaccine, developed in Moscow.

The trial is expected to begin soon, with the Russians intending to reveal the results in late November.

Phase 3 trials typically involve tens of thousands of volunteers.

The stage after that is usually 'limited approval' – which six vaccines across the world have received – followed by 'vaccines approved for full use', which none have yet.

Vaccine trials usually involve a diverse ethnic group and people of all ages to test for efficacy and side effects.

UAE Cabinet ministers take Covid-19 vaccine