Jordanian King Abdullah II. AFP
Jordanian King Abdullah II. AFP
Jordanian King Abdullah II. AFP
Jordanian King Abdullah II. AFP

Coronavirus: Jordan’s King Abdullah recounts his vaccine experience


Khaled Yacoub Oweis
  • English
  • Arabic

Jordan’s King Abdullah II felt a little discomfort after taking the coronavirus vaccine but he said it was “a small price to pay compared with actually catching the virus.”

The king and his subordinates urged Jordanians to take a vaccination as registrations for the campaign lag behind the government's plan to inoculate one-fifth of Jordan's 10 million population.

King Abdullah told the official news agency in an interview on his 59th birthday on Saturday that he was filmed while taking the vaccine two weeks ago to send a message that it is safe.

The king took the vaccine with his son, 26-year old Crown Prince Hussein, and his uncle, Prince Hassan, who is 73.

“I made it a point to take the vaccine in front of cameras so that everyone realises that it is a safe and easy process,” the king said.

“I experienced some mild side effects, and I felt tired and had trouble sleeping for a couple of days after receiving the shot, but that is a small price to pay compared with actually catching the virus,” he said.

About 300,000 Jordanians have registered online to take the vaccine.

Inoculations in Jordan started on January 13 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and China’s Sinopharm.

The king did not say which vaccine he took.

Public health specialists said that at least 20 per cent of the population has been infected since the pandemic began, although official data shows 325,000 infections and 4,304 deaths. Health officials said the rate of increase in cases has been declining since December.

But Health Minister Nizar Obeidat said last week that at least 160 cases of the more contagious coronavirus variant first reported in Britain were recorded in Jordan.

Infection and death rates rose sharply after authorities eased coronavirus restrictions in the summer of last year, prompting the reimposition of a curfew in November while most businesses were allowed to remain open.

The king told the government this month to lift most pandemic-control measures, saying that the public health situation has improved.

T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures

Tuesday, October 29

Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE

Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman

Wednesday, October 30

Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one

Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two

Thursday, October 31

Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four

Friday, November 1

Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one

Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two

Saturday, November 2

Third-place playoff, 2.10pm

Final, 7.30pm

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Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

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  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
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Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

Rating: 2/5

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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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.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets