Abu Dhabi and UAE health experts say the move could happen as mutant strains of the virus increase.
People may need to get COVID-19 vaccine every year, according to Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector.
The remarks were made on Monday, 25 January, during a virtual panel discussion organised by the Maitha Bint Ahmed Al Nahyan Foundation for Community and Cultural Initiatives (MBAF), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC).
New COVID-19 variants have emerged recently, Dr Farida Al Hosani said, adding that the more mutant the virus, the more is the possible need to vaccinate annually against it.
According the WAM News Agency portal, she gave an example of the mutant flu vaccine which is given to communities every year.
Dr Farida Al Hosani also revealed that some vaccines are given to people as young as 16 years and referred to ongoing clinical studies on three vaccines that could be administered to children in the future.
She revealed that between 40-50 per cent of the people infected with COVID-19 do not feel any symptoms.
She was reprted as saying: “Based on this, we increased focusing on old people. The earlier the detection of virus among old people and people with pre-existing conditions, the more chance the virus can be contained.”
Sheikha Maitha bint Ahmed bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Board Chairperson of the MBAF, praised the wise leadership’s proactive vision for containing the virus and for successfully providing the safe and effective vaccines.
Source: WAM UAE – News Agency