ABU DHABI — Thousands of volunteers have received the first Phase III trials — named 4Humanity trials — of an inactivated vaccine for COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates reported the Emirates News Agency (WAM). According to the report, there were 31,000 vaccinated volunteers from more than 120 nationalities in only six weeks. The trials are being managed by Abu-Dhabi based G42 Healthcare in partnership with the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company. The speed and efficiency of volunteer registration, screening and vaccination is setting new global benchmarks for the 4Humanity trials of the inactivated vaccine developed by Sinopharm CNBG, a world-leading Chinese vaccine manufacturer. As the trials move forward thousands of volunteers have already received their second shot of the vaccine and will continue to undergo regular monitoring and health checks, with full ongoing support provided by the health services to ensure their wellbeing. Reaching this volunteer milestone means that the vaccine centers at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi and Al-Qarain Center in Sharjah are now closed to new volunteers but remain open for individuals taking their second shot of the vaccine and for other health check-ups required as part of the program according to the approved protocols and timelines set for individual participating volunteers. The Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, has confirmed that there are now sufficient numbers of volunteers required to complete the clinical trial so no new registrations will be accepted. The Department of Health said that it will continue to follow up on all volunteers according to approved protocols for this study through follow-up calls or through direct interviews by the medical team. — Agencies