The health sector’s spokeswoman said that some people in the UAE were given a third coronavirus dose of Covid-19 vaccine, after receiving two doses because they had not developed antibodies against the disease.

Vaccinated citizens and residents who did not develop an immune response against the virus could take a third dose, Dr. Farida al-Hosani told local media.

“Some people received a third dose of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, but the number is very minimal compared to those who received doses one and two,” she said.

The Chinese vaccine is available for all citizens and resident for free in more than 100 different centers around the country.

The vaccine is 79.34 percent effective up to 28 days after the second dose is received, according to the company.

The Pfizer-BioNtech, AstraZeneca-Oxford, and the Sputnik V vaccines are also available in the UAE.

A total of 48.71 percent of the UAE’s population has already received a coronavirus vaccine.