Which countries are leading the Covid-19 vaccination race?


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More than 100 million Covid-19 vaccines have been given around the world and already some countries say they are experiencing a decline in hospital admissions, severe cases and deaths as the world races to end the pandemic.

Israel leads the race by far, with 37 per cent of its population having received at least one dose, while more than a fifth have already got their second.

While picture emerging in Israel was a positive sign, there are still deep concerns.

The richest nations account for more than two thirds of vaccines administered.

None of the world's 29 poorest countries has formally started mass vaccination drives.

That’s more than a third of humanity (35 per cent) living in countries where vaccination has yet to begin.

After Israel, the countries that have given the most doses are in the Gulf, North America and Europe.

The UAE comes after Israel in number of doses administered per 100 people, followed by the UK.

The US is currently fourth, although it has ambitious targets for vaccination.

The total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered: 

The latest daily vaccination numbers by country (Vaccine doses by 100 people):

Total vaccine doses administered:

Covid vaccine doses per day (7-day rolling average):

What impact is the vaccine rollout having?

Eran Segal of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel on Tuesday highlighted the impact the vaccination campaign already appears to be having.

In the age group of 60 and above,, who have been prioritised in the country's vaccination programme, there has been a 35 per cent drop in cases, a 30 per cent drop in hospital admissions and a 20 per cent drop among critically ill.

These, he pointed out, were larger shifts than in previous lockdowns and were a good sign that things could start to improve rapidly as Israel progresses with the programme to get everyone a vaccine.

Where do poor nations stand in the vaccine rollout?

The World Health Organisation lamented that "rich countries are rolling out vaccines while least-developed countries watch and wait".

Some rich countries, however, have yet to start vaccinating, including Japan, South Korea and Australia, which have managed to contain the pandemic with strict border controls and quarantines.

The first deliveries of the WHO's Covax scheme to share vaccine doses more fairly are due begin this month. So far, only Guinea has benefited, with only a few dozen given in a pilot trial.

What vaccines are available where?

There are currently seven vaccines in circulation around the world, all designed to be given in two doses.

The vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are dominant in North America, Europe, Israel and the Gulf.

Britain's AstraZeneca-Oxford is used in much of the UK and India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Morocco, and is soon to be introduced in Europe.

India also uses a home-grown vaccine produced by Bharat Biotech.

Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has been introduced in Russia, Argentina, Algeria, Belarus and Serbia.

China's Sinopharm shots are being administered in China, the UAE, Bahrain, Serbia, the Seychelles and Jordan, while Indonesia and Turkey are using China's Sinovac vaccine.

China's Sinovac vaccine and Russia's Sputnik V doses have yet to be fully approved by either Beijing or Moscow's health authorities.

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What is the definition of an SME?

SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.

A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors. 

Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

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First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus