• A Dubai ambulance worker is vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in Dubai.
    A Dubai ambulance worker is vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in Dubai.
  • An older resident receives her first shot at Zabeel Health Centre on December 27, 2020.
    An older resident receives her first shot at Zabeel Health Centre on December 27, 2020.
  • The vaccine is expected to be rolled out to all age groups once people in the essential categories have been vaccinated.
    The vaccine is expected to be rolled out to all age groups once people in the essential categories have been vaccinated.
  • A nurse holds a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for use by Dubai's emergency and crisis authority and the federal Ministry of Health.
    A nurse holds a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for use by Dubai's emergency and crisis authority and the federal Ministry of Health.
  • An employee from Roads and Transport Authority receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Dubai.
    An employee from Roads and Transport Authority receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Dubai.
  • A woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.
    A woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.
  • The city has six vaccine centres where the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is available.
    The city has six vaccine centres where the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is available.
  • A man waits to receive the first of two doses at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.
    A man waits to receive the first of two doses at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.
  • A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.
    A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.
  • A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.
    A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.
  • A vial of the vaccine is seen at Barsha Health Centre. AFP
    A vial of the vaccine is seen at Barsha Health Centre. AFP
  • A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at al-Barsha Health Centre in Dubai. AFP
    A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at al-Barsha Health Centre in Dubai. AFP

Coronavirus vaccine in the Gulf: What we know so far


  • English
  • Arabic

All Gulf states have launched Covid-19 immunisation campaigns with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain ranking second and fourth globally on vaccine rollout per head of population.

Countries in the region have maintained strict measures to contain Covid-19, including mask-wearing and social distancing amid a surge in cases.

Here’s the latest on immunisation campaigns across the region.

UAE

The UAE has accelerated its vaccination campaign, with the country one of the fastest worldwide to inoculate its population.

More than 3.5 million vaccine doses have been administered so far – a rate of 36.04 doses per 100 people – placing the UAE below only Israel in a global league table of inoculation rates.

  • The UAE is a world leader in vaccinating its population. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    The UAE is a world leader in vaccinating its population. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • Dubai has authorised three vaccines against Covid-19. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    Dubai has authorised three vaccines against Covid-19. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • UAE authorities have ramped up their inoculation drive against Covid-19. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    UAE authorities have ramped up their inoculation drive against Covid-19. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • Dubai has authorised three vaccines against Covid-19. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    Dubai has authorised three vaccines against Covid-19. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • A shipment of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine arrived from India, where it is produced under licence, on Tuesday. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    A shipment of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine arrived from India, where it is produced under licence, on Tuesday. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • UAE authorities have ramped up their inoculation drive against Covid-19. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    UAE authorities have ramped up their inoculation drive against Covid-19. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • A medic shows a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Al Barsha Health Centre in Dubai. AFP
    A medic shows a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Al Barsha Health Centre in Dubai. AFP
  • A placard informs the public of the location of a designated Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's financial district. AFP
    A placard informs the public of the location of a designated Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's financial district. AFP
  • A nurse gives a patient a flu shot at Prime Hospital in Dubai. Masks and flu vaccines are contributing to record low numbers of influenza this year. Pawan Singh / The National
    A nurse gives a patient a flu shot at Prime Hospital in Dubai. Masks and flu vaccines are contributing to record low numbers of influenza this year. Pawan Singh / The National

Authorities have also been expanding the range of vaccines to boost the campaign. Dubai on Tuesday authorised the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. A first shipment, which arrived from India on Tuesday, contained 200,000 doses and will be enough for 100,000 people. More orders are expected.

Three vaccines are now approved in Dubai with the other two being Pfizer-BioNTech and China's Sinopharm. The Sinopharm vaccine is also available across the UAE.

The United Nations children's agency Unicef signed a partnership deal with DP World last week for the Dubai-based logistics firm to help distribute Covid-19 vaccines.

DP World has a presence across emerging markets, including in Africa and Asia, and its flagship Jebel Ali port in Dubai is the Middle East's biggest transhipment hub.

The partnership will support Unicef's role in procuring and supplying two billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines and immunisation supplies as part of Covax, a global Covid-19 vaccine allocation plan with the World Health Organisation.

Kuwait

  • Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Sabah receives a Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine injection at a vaccination centre in the capital Kuwait City. AFP
    Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Sabah receives a Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine injection at a vaccination centre in the capital Kuwait City. AFP
  • Nourah Abdulla, head of the infectious control centre at Al Jaber Hospital, holds a vial of a Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Reuters
    Nourah Abdulla, head of the infectious control centre at Al Jaber Hospital, holds a vial of a Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Reuters
  • A medic prepares a Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine injection in the capital Kuwait City. AFP
    A medic prepares a Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine injection in the capital Kuwait City. AFP
  • Kuwaiti Health Minister Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah receives the first dose of the Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait. EPA
    Kuwaiti Health Minister Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah receives the first dose of the Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait. EPA
  • Tareq Eid Al-Mezrem, Head of Government Center Council of Ministers General Secretary, gets a dose of Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait City. Reuters
    Tareq Eid Al-Mezrem, Head of Government Center Council of Ministers General Secretary, gets a dose of Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait City. Reuters
  • A Kuwaiti man, Abdulla al Anazi, gets a dose of Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait City. Reuters
    A Kuwaiti man, Abdulla al Anazi, gets a dose of Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait City. Reuters
  • A Kuwaiti receives the first dose of Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine injection in Kuwait City. EPA
    A Kuwaiti receives the first dose of Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine injection in Kuwait City. EPA
  • Kuwaiti people receive the first dose of Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait City. EPA
    Kuwaiti people receive the first dose of Pfizer-BioTech Covid-19 vaccine in Kuwait City. EPA
  • People wait outside a vaccination centre in Kuwait City. EPA
    People wait outside a vaccination centre in Kuwait City. EPA
  • A view of Kuwait Covid-19 vaccination centre in Kuwait City. EPA
    A view of Kuwait Covid-19 vaccination centre in Kuwait City. EPA

Kuwait has authorised the emergency use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to protect people from the virus.

The authorisation was issued after conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the vaccine's safety, efficacy and quality, assistant under-secretary for drug and food control Dr Abdullah Al Bader said.

Kuwait will receive the first batch of 200,000 doses within days, he said.

Saudi Arabia

This picture taken on December 17, 2020 shows the first Saudi citizen preparing to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) in the capital Riyadh, as part of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi health ministry. AFP
This picture taken on December 17, 2020 shows the first Saudi citizen preparing to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) in the capital Riyadh, as part of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi health ministry. AFP

Saudi Arabia began inoculating people in the kingdom in mid-December with a Covid-19 vaccine, becoming the first Arab country to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech jab.

The health authorities asked citizens and residents to register to receive the vaccine, which they said would be free.

Riyadh also said it was talking to vaccine producers to provide doses to low-income countries, such as Yemen and some countries in Africa that would not get enough vaccines through the Covax facility.

Bahrain

Bahrain last week received its first delivery of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII). The vaccine will be free to citizens and residents of the kingdom.

Bahrain is already providing the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and one manufactured by Chinese pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm.

Oman

A man receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the Omani capital Muscat on December 27, 2020. AFP
A man receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the Omani capital Muscat on December 27, 2020. AFP

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured under licence by the Serum Institute of India arrived in Oman at the weekend, ready for the next phase of the sultanate's vaccination campaign.

Oman began its vaccination campaign using Pfizer-BioNTech inoculations on December 7 last year.

Qatar

Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health granted emergency use authorisation for the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech late in December.

The ministry said people aged 16 years and above would be eligible. Qatar has also signed an agreement with drug maker Moderna to buy its vaccine.

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

Green ambitions
  • Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
  • Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
  • Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
  • Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water 
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Name: Marie Byrne

Nationality: Irish

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption

Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston

Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

PROFILE

Name: Enhance Fitness 

Year started: 2018 

Based: UAE 

Employees: 200 

Amount raised: $3m 

Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors 

TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PLUS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.1%22%20Super%20Retina%20XDR%20OLED%2C%202778%20x%201284%2C%20458ppi%2C%20HDR%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%2C%201200%20nits%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20A15%20Bionic%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%205-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256%2F512GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iOS%2016%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%2012MP%20main%20(f%2F1.5)%20%2B%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20(f%2F2.4)%3B%202x%20optical%2C%205x%20digital%3B%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F3060fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20HD%20%40%2030fps%3B%20HD%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20TrueDepth%20(f%2F1.9)%2C%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%3B%20Animoji%2C%20Memoji%3B%20Portrait%20Lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F3060fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20HD%20slo-mo%20%40%20120fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204323%20mAh%2C%20up%20to%2026h%20video%2C%2020h%20streaming%20video%2C%20100h%20audio%3B%20fast%20charge%20to%2050%25%20in%2030m%3B%20MagSafe%2C%20Qi%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Face%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lightning%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20eSIM%20%2F%20eSIM%20%2B%20SIM%20(US%20models%20use%20eSIMs%20only)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Blue%2C%20midnight%2C%20purple%2C%20starlight%2C%20Product%20Red%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iPhone%2014%2C%20USB-C-to-Lightning%20cable%2C%20one%20Apple%20sticker%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh3%2C799%20%2F%20Dh4%2C199%20%2F%20Dh5%2C049%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors

23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees

Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059