PM and health minister develop antibodies after taking UAE-China COVID-19 vaccine

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh and Minister of Health Nathir Obeidat have developed antibodies against COVID-19 almost 45 days after they took the UAE-China vaccine in Amman, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Obeidat made the announcement on Thursday as he and the prime minister were touring the Laboratories Department of the Ministry of Health, where they received the results of antibodies tests conducted by the ministry's labs.

Obeidat noted that he and the prime minister received the first shot of the vaccine about a month and a half ago, followed by a second shot three weeks later.

The minister said that he and the premier received the results from the laboratories, which showed the presence of antibodies, adding that this is “a good indicator of the efficacy of the vaccines that are currently available, regardless of their source".

The health minister voiced his confidence that the vaccines, which will be available in the Kingdom “soon”, will be effective and safe after they pass all the required stages, whether in the country of origin or inside the Kingdom.

He stressed that any vaccine will need to be approved and registered for emergency use by the Jordan Food and Drug Administration as applied all over the world.

During the tour, the prime minister said describing lab technicians, nursing and medical staff as “the first line of defence” that safeguards public health and safety, commending their dedication to fulfilling their humanitarian duty.

Khasawneh had a first-hand look at PCR equipment and testing machines that can process about 15,000 tests a day.