Abu Dhabi has started Phase III clinical trials of Russia's experimental Covid-19 vaccine, known as Sputnik V, amid a surge in infections in the United Arab Emirates.

The human trial, announced in October before the recent rise in cases, is initially seeking up to 500 volunteers to be vaccinated at a hospital in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Reuters reported.

Two doses of the vaccine will be given, 20 days apart, to volunteers, the statement said. Participants will have to be 18 years or older, have not previously been infected with Covid-19 or participated in other Covid-19 vaccine trials, it said.

The UAE is also conducting Phase III trials of a vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).