Related: How to book Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm shots in Dubai
The Sinopharm vaccine is more than 90 per cent effective at keeping people infected with the coronavirus out of hospital, according to a study conducted in Abu Dhabi.
Authorities said the research found a significant decrease in the rate of new Covid-19 infections among people who received a second dose of the vaccine in the emirate.
The study, conducted by Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, found the vast majority of those who were infected after completing the course suffered mild symptoms and did not require treatment in hospital.
The efficacy of vaccination in reducing the need to be admitted to an ICU is 95 per cent
The vaccine was found to be 93 per cent effective in preventing hospitalisation and 95 per cent effective against admission to intensive care, according to the research.
No deaths were recorded among people who received all doses required, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.
“The study found the efficacy of vaccination in preventing hospitalisation is 93 per cent, while the efficacy of vaccination in reducing the need to be admitted to an ICU is 95 per cent.
“The study found no deaths related to Covid-19 have been recorded in patients who received all doses required.”
It is not known when the study was conducted or how many people were included in the research.
Immunity against the coronavirus is best achieved through vaccination and by sticking to precautionary measures designed to restrict the spread of the virus, the researchers said.
The study also found immunity is not guaranteed after infection.
The researchers said the risk of contracting the virus increases as the virus mutates, and that the chances of the virus mutating increase with its spread.
There is also a possibility that the infection may lead to long-term health complications.
The study found post-Covid-19 syndrome, also known as long Covid, “may affect some senior citizens, people with chronic diseases, and even healthy individuals”.
“Complications include damage to multiple organs, blood clots, and other complications that may require long-term medical attention,” the media office said.
In a discussion by video about the pandemic on Sunday, Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokeswoman of the UAE health sector and director of the Communicable Diseases Department at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said the vaccines available in the country are “among the best in the world”.
She said the UAE aims to expand vaccine treatment help the population acquire immunity.
She also stressed the importance of vaccination to reduce infections to protect the elderly and children.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
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
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
