As introduction of Covid-19 vaccines begin across the world, one would be forgiven for thinking that Egypt was well placed to efficiently inoculate its population of more than 100 million.
The Arab world’s most populous country is known for its effective vaccination programmes against preventable diseases such as measles, whooping cough and diphtheria. The anti-polio campaign, for example, was a huge success; Egypt has been polio free since 2006.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 90 per cent of the population has been covered under Egypt's free-to-all Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) programme.
But the coronavirus pandemic is posing a different challenge: to convince a sceptical population that the vaccines are safe in the face of anxiety and misinformation turbocharged by social media.
Egypt plans to begin inoculations this month with the vaccine produced by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm). The company said its vaccines showed 79.34 per cent efficacy in late-stage trials.
The Egyptian health ministry said the Sinopharm vaccine would start to be distributed in the second week of January, starting with medical workers, people above the age of 65 and those with chronic diseases. The three categories constitute roughly 20.5 million people, according to official data.
Egypt has also applied to receive vaccines through the WHO's Covax scheme.
But it apparently will take more time to convince Egyptians to take the vaccine than with previous shots, despite a vast body of evidence that those approved so far are safe.
I think everybody is acting in haste to combat the Corona virus. There's a consensus among my friends and family members to wait a bit until we become fully informed of the side effects. You are injecting a virus into your body
The National spoke to people from different social and education backgrounds, some of them with underlying medical conditions. While they were all tired of coronavirus restrictions and eager to hear good news about the vaccines, many of them were hesitant about getting vaccinated themselves.
"I think everybody is acting in haste to combat the coronavirus," Lamia, a 44-year-old mother of three in the capital Cairo, told The National. "There's a consensus among my friends and family members to wait a bit until we become fully informed of the side effects. You are injecting a virus into your body."
Several companies around the world have reported positive results in trials for vaccines approved so far by health regulators.
The vaccines were all created in less than a year as scientists, backed by massive financial and logistical resources, acted nimbly to confront a disease that has claimed more than 1.5 million lives globally. The death and infection rates are showing no signs of slowing down.
Egypt's daily coronavirus caseload has been increasing steadily in recent weeks. The health ministry has recorded more than 127,000 cases and deaths have exceeded 7,100 . Limited testing of the general population has stoked fears that cases are going undetected and the real number of infections is perhaps far higher.
"We don't have anti-vaxxers in Egypt per se, but there's widespread concern because most of the people don't know the scientific rationale behind the Covid-19 vaccines," Dr Islam Anan, an Egyptian pharma-epidemiologist, told The National.
Dr Anan was referring to a global movement against vaccines known as anti-vaxxers. These sceptics of vaccinations and most science in general range from lay people to celebrities and politicians.
Social media is rife with misinformation that goes as viral as the virus itself, from how the virus was engineered in a lab by the Chinese government to a plan by Microsoft founder Bill Gates to implant trackable microchips in people under the guise of vaccinations.
In July last year, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton shared an anti-vaccine post with his 18 million followers on Instagram that suggested foul play in the clinical trials.
In the Arab world, Lebanese singer Carole Samaha claimed in a tweet last May that there had been furious horse-trading between parties she did not name to strike a “historic deal” by creating the virus, with a hashtag saying "no to vaccination".
A month earlier, former mufti of Egypt Ali Gomaa stirred controversy when he said the creation of 5G networks had "altered the electromagnetic environment of the Earth", which helped the spread of coronavirus.
No evidence has been found to support such claims.
“Many people always say it takes at least 10 years to produce an effective vaccine and the speedy process of Covid-19 vaccines does raise many eyebrows, but they also need to know that billions of dollars have been invested in this global effort undertaken by an army of scientists. They need to understand that it was very hard in the past to find volunteers, unlike today when many people volunteer in clinical trials. Technology has also enabled us to cut time short,” said Dr Anan, who believes that herd immunity should be vaccine-driven, not infection-driven, “because we are dealing with a serious disease that kills people”.
The health ministry has tried to reassure a wary public by confirming that the about 3,000 volunteers for clinical trials of the Sinopharm vaccine have shown no serious side effects.
It was noticeable that the people who spoke to The National were either under-informed about the vaccine, had friends or relatives telling them not to take it, or had heard some scary but unfounded claims about possible side effects.
But for Omar Farouk, a 72-year-old pensioner with Type 2 diabetes and a coronary disease, taking the vaccine entails some risk but it is worth taking.
“The infections are surging. People don’t heed the repeated warnings and the necessary precautions like wearing masks in public spaces and transport. So my point is, if the risk is really high to get infected anyway, it makes sense I get the vaccine if it’s available,” he said.
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Read more about the coronavirus
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Three stars
The five pillars of Islam
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
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Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Ten10 Cricket League
Venue and schedule Sharjah Cricket Stadium, December 14 to 17
Teams
Maratha Arabians Leading player: Virender Sehwag; Top picks: Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim; UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan
Bengal Lions Leading player: Sarfraz Ahmed; Top picks: Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman; UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad
Kerala Kings Leading player: Eoin Morgan; Top picks: Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir; UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Imran Haider
Pakhtoons Leading player: Shahid Afridi; Top picks: Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal; UAE players: Amjad Javed, Saqlain Haider
Punjabi Legends Leading player: Shoaib Malik; Top picks: Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan; UAE players: Ghulam Shabber, Shareef Asadullah
Team Sri Lanka Cricket Will be made up of Colombo players who won island’s domestic limited-overs competition
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Quercus
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
The five pillars of Islam
