From SpyBiotech’s “superglue” technology to Russia s next generation EpiVacCorona, dozens of vaccines are awaiting approval as nations step up efforts to overcome the pandemic
Six promising Covid-19 vaccines set to join the immunisation race
From SpyBiotech’s “superglue” technology to Russia s next generation EpiVacCorona, dozens of vaccines are awaiting approval as nations step up efforts to overcome the pandemic
An older resident receives her first shot at Zabeel Health Centre on December 27, 2020. EPA
A Dubai ambulance worker is vaccinated in Dubai. EPA
The vaccine is expected to be rolled out to all age groups once people in the essential categories have been vaccinated. EPA
A nurse holds a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for use by Dubai s emergency and crisis authority and the federal Ministry of Health. AFP
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The race is well under way to vaccinate the global population against coronavirus, delivering in most cases two doses to billions of people around the world.
But already drug makers and governments are considering the likelihood that third doses or booster shots will be needed.
Here we look at why that is, what they could consist of and whether there are any potential health risks.
Do I need a Covid-19 booster shot?
Although there is limited data available so far, the protection from having two doses is likely to wane over time, so a booster might be needed to ensure
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A UAE hospital has introduced an additional treatment for Covid-19 patients to prevent them from developing severe symptoms.
RAK Hospital is said to be one of the first hospitals in the Emirates to offer Bamlanivimab, a monoclonal antibody shown to cut the risk that people infected with the coronavirus will fall seriously ill.
In November, American regulators granted the drug an emergency use authorisation to treat vulnerable patients after it was shown to be effective in individuals with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms.
Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made antibodies that complement the immune system by, in this case, latching on to the spike protein of Sars-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.