Some Abu Dhabi pharmacies are now allowed to provide Covid-19 vaccines and PCR tests, it was announced on Friday.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi said the Sinopharm vaccine will be provided free of charge to those who are eligible and over the age of 18.
PCR tests will be offered at pharmacies for Dh40 ($10.9) under the programme that came into force on this week, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.
This is the same charge as for PCR tests at existing Abu Dhabi test centres.
Pharmacies must first complete a course certified by the department to administer vaccinations. After successful completion, the pharmacies receive authorisation, which is then added to their licence.
The department said it will provide the list of licensed pharmacies through its website.
In Abu Dhabi, outlets currently licensed to administer vaccines and PCR tests are: Al Manara Pharmacy in Yas Mall and Al Thiqa Al Almyiah Pharmacy, at Zayed The First Street.
In Al Ain, outlets of Al Ain Pharmacy at Al Ain Mall, Al Hili and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium are also licensed to offer these services.
The programme will later expand to offer other types of vaccinations, such as the seasonal flu vaccine and various travel vaccines, said officials.
The department is encouraging pharmacies that wish to provide Covid-19 vaccines and PCR tests to apply through the Abu Dhabi government services website, Tamm.
“By administering the Covid-19 vaccination and providing PCR tests in pharmacies, we will provide community members with convenient access to important healthcare services which fall in line with the safety measures undertaken by Abu Dhabi in response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
“We encourage more pharmacies to take part in the national vaccination efforts to ensure this service reaches all the community.”
In June, the UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said “100 per cent of the target groups in the country” have been vaccinated.
To date, 24,922,054 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the Emirates.
In February, authorities in the emirate urged citizens and residents in Abu Dhabi to get a fourth Pfizer-BioNTech or Sinopharm vaccine.
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
HAJJAN
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