Dubai: Abu Dhabi has started Phase III clinical trials of Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine amid a surge in infections in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi's media office said on Thursday.The human trial, announced in October before the recent rise in cases, is initially seeking up to 500 volunteers to be vaccinated at a hospital in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.Two doses of the vaccine will be given, 20 days apart, to volunteers, the statement said.The UAE is also conducting Phase III trials of a vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).
The UAE has approved the vaccine and it is available for free to anybody who wants it, with priority given to more vulnerable individuals, according to the health ministry.Last.