AstraZeneca vaccine explainer: All you need to know after UAE approval
February 3, 2021, 10:22 am

AstraZeneca vaccine explainer: All you need to know after UAE approval

In this file photo taken on November 17, 2020 An illustration picture shows vials with Covid-19 Vaccine stickers attached and syringes with the logo of British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on November 17, 2020. (File photo: AFP)

Dubai received its first shipment of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday, making it the third COVID-19 vaccine approved and offered by the UAE in its nationwide inoculation drive.

The vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, was manufactured in, and shipped to the UAE from India.

https://twitter.com/DHA_Dubai/status/1356811357430157314

The Oxford vaccine consists of adenovirus which causes the common cold in chimpanzees. Modified to prevent it from reproducing it prevents adenovirus from causing an infection. It carries a fraction of the coronavirus to deliver it to the cells in the human body to trigger an immune response.

Unlike the mRNA viruses, AstraZeneca’s vaccine uses double-stranded DNA and a tough coat of adenovirus to help protect the genetic material inside, ensuring freezing of the vaccine is not required.

A health worker fills a syringe with a dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. (Reuters)

The CEO of DHA’s Clinical Support Services and nursing Sector, and Chairperson of the COVID-19 Vaccination Steering Committee, Dr. Farid al-Khaja, told Gulf News that the AstraZeneca vaccine will be available to Emiratis between the ages of 18 and 60, people of determination and people will chronic diseases within the same age group, provided they have a valid visa in the country.

The Oxford vaccine will be available to the groups at the One Central Vaccination Center, according to Dr. al-Khaja.

She also added that frontline and vital sector workers from both public and private entities would be able to take the vaccine at the Vaccination Field Center. Individuals in these categories will be able to schedule appointments via the institutions that they work for.

However, children are not eligible for this vaccine specifically as its safety in this space has not been assessed yet in minors.

source: Tala Michel Issa

Image source: AFP

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.