The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started administering China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine to Emirati citizens and Dubai residents who are aged 60 and above.

The DHA said that the move, which started from January 31, is "in line with its keenness to provide the public with an opportunity to select between various types of vaccines available in Dubai."

Faridah Al Khaja, chief executive of the DHA's Medical Support Services and Nursing sector and chairperson of the COVID-19 vaccination steering committee, said that providing the Sinopharm vaccine is "part of the DHA's keenness to ensure the availability of COVID-19 vaccination services to all segments of the community, especially the older age groups who are considered to be among the high-risk categories."

The DHA said that it will reach out to those who already have pre-registered appointments for vaccination, and that the Sinopharm vaccine will be available to other segments of the population in future phases.

On Tuesday, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention reported 3,310 new cases of COVID-19, taking the overall tally in the country to 309,649. Seven more deaths from the deadly virus were also confirmed, taking the country's death toll to 866.

The first batch of 1 million doses of Chinese Sinopharm 's COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in Peru on February 9, Prime Minister Violeta Bermudez announced on Friday, according to the country's state news agency Andina.

Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti said earlier that the deal was part of a larger agreement to purchase 38 million doses from the Chinese company.

Peru has lagged behind some of its wealthier neighbors in efforts to ensure vaccines for its citizens amid a political crisis in 2020 that saw the ouster of one president and the resignation of another.

The country has also inked a deal to acquire an additional 13.2 million vaccine doses through the COVAX Facility, an alliance led by the World Health Organization to ensure equitable distribution among less wealthy nations.

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)