The fight against Covid-19 in the UAE just got further support, as the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) just approved the Moderna vaccine for emergency registration.
The decision comes after clinical trials have been completed as well as a strict assessment by local authorities, supported by the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Health Regulatory Sector, said the decision was taken after Moderna has submitted all the documents that fulfil the country’s procedures and regulations and conform to global standards for safety of the vaccine and its use. He added this enables local health authorities to import the vaccine after fulfilling shipping-related safety and efficacy standards.
A review of studies on vaccine safety was made based on the FDA approval, said Al Amiri, pointing out that the clinical trials have shown that the vaccine is safe and effective, and is triggering an immune response, in addition to producing COVID-19 antibodies.
In the United States, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been the two most administered to the broad population, both relying on similar mRNA technology and both having a high rate of effectiveness.
For an explainer on the mRNA vaccine technology, watch below:
The vaccine is administered in two shots, preferably 28 days apart, according to the CDC, with a shot administered to the upper arm.
Also according to the CDC, based on evidence from clinical trials, in people aged 18 years and older, the Moderna vaccine was 94.1 percent effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection in people who received two doses and had no evidence of being previously infected. It’s also proven highly effective in clinical trials at preventing COVID-19 among people of diverse age, sex, race, and ethnicity categories and among people with underlying medical conditions, says the CDC.
Currently, Sinopharm and Pfizer are the two most administered vaccines in the UAE.
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