Dr Hend Al Awadi urged members of the public with flu symptoms to see a doctor to ensure they do not have Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
Dr Hend Al Awadi urged members of the public with flu symptoms to see a doctor to ensure they do not have Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
Dr Hend Al Awadi urged members of the public with flu symptoms to see a doctor to ensure they do not have Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
Dr Hend Al Awadi urged members of the public with flu symptoms to see a doctor to ensure they do not have Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National

UAE expects Covid vaccine to be widely available by late 2020 or early 2021


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

Emirati officials expect to see a vaccine on the global market by late this year or early 2021.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, a government health spokeswoman and a director of Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said the timescale depended on trial results.

The expert in infectious disease said officials were monitoring the latest developments in vaccine trials around the world.

“We are closely following all of the updates with a Covid vaccine and there is more than one (vaccine) candidate,” she said.

We are expecting at a global level widespread use of vaccination will start at the end of this year or the beginning of next year

“We are expecting that at a global level, widespread use of vaccination will start at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, based on the study results.”

The UAE was the main vaccine trial partner for Chinese drug maker Sinopharm, providing thousands of volunteers for a Phase III trial. A number of government officials including the Minister of Health have received an early approved version.

Dr Al Hosani spoke at the launch of a nationwide seasonal flu campaign to encourage the public to avoid overburdening hospitals this winter.

Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions were urged to get the jab, which is free for those categories.

The rest of the population can have the injection for Dh50.

Officials said it was safe to take the flu shot and the Covid vaccine – once available – as long as the jabs were weeks apart.

Once the flu vaccine has been taken, it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop.

Doctors said they expected to see flu case numbers increase from October.

Dr Hend Al Awadi, head of health promotion at Dubai Health Authority, said members of the public should see a doctor if they begin to feel flu symptoms.

Flu shot could ease pressure on hospitals this winter

"The symptoms are very similar between influenza and Covid-19, so it can be difficult to distinguish between the two," she said.

"If someone suspects they have either virus they should take all the precautionary measures and go to their nearest health facility.

"The doctor there will do a proper investigation to check which virus the patient has."

She added: "A PCR test will only be used for a suspected case of Covid-19. The doctor can do others tests to diagnose influenza.

"There are plenty of supplies of vaccine for influenza, anyone can visit a DHA facility for a vaccination, but we will focus on high-risk groups first.

"There is no issue between those who have taken the flu vaccine and those who have been involved in trials for the Covid-19 vaccine."

On Monday, the UAE recorded its lowest number of cases in three weeks after a significant spike in September.

Since the outbreak, nearly 9.5 million tests have been conducted nationwide.

Dr Anwar Wagdy Salam, chief medical officer of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha), said more cases of Covid-19 were being diagnosed due to the increased volume of testing under way.

“We can use this flu campaign to educate about the benefit in fighting both viruses,” he said.

“All of the precautionary measures such as hand hygiene, face masks and physical distancing should continue to be observed.

“I am very optimistic that during this season with the flu vaccine in place and these existing precautionary measures we should have a lower rate of complications associated with influenza.”

Biog

Age: 50

Known as the UAE’s strongest man

Favourite dish: “Everything and sea food”

Hobbies: Drawing, basketball and poetry

Favourite car: Any classic car

Favourite superhero: The Hulk original

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
6 UNDERGROUND

Director: Michael Bay

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco

2.5 / 5 stars

Normcore explained

Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Torque: 390Nm

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

MATCH INFO

Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')