A major vaccine centre in Dubai reopened on Sunday after closing on Friday and Saturday.
Health officials say it will shut again this weekend, but first and second doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be administered by appointment during the week.
The centre is run by Seha, Abu Dhabi's government hospital operator. The Department of Health Abu Dhabi told The National on Sunday that the centre would resume seven-day service from Sunday, February 21.
At the weekend, some Dubai residents had their second coronavirus vaccine delayed at short notice.
Several residents also reported being turned away from the Dubai Parks and Resorts centre, despite having appointments confirmed on the Seha app.
Dose two of the vaccine is available during weekdays [only]. Residents scheduled to take the second dose will be called to reschedule their appointments this week
The department said it would contact residents with appointments set for this weekend to reschedule them.
"Dose two of the vaccine is available during weekdays," it said.
"Residents scheduled to take the second dose will be called to reschedule their appointments this week."
Nationally, over-50s and people with disabilities are the priority for the next five weeks.
As a result, the vaccine push slowed to about 50,000 shots a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, although the UAE's campaign remains near the world's best.
One Dubai resident said he was sent away from the centre on Saturday morning.
"I was turned away on the bridge and told that it was closed due to system issues," he said. "They advised me to come back on Monday."
The British resident tried several other Seha-affiliated vaccination locations in Dubai at the weekend but was turned away from those too, and was unable to receive his second dose.
He had been keen to ensure he received both shots within 28 days of each other.
Another resident said she received a text message confirming her appointment.
“I’ve had an appointment for Saturday for a while,” she said.
“At 1.16am on Saturday I received an SMS saying it had been rescheduled to Sunday, and then at 8.03am on Saturday they sent me a message confirming the appointment for that day.
“I turned up at 9am and the centre was closed. Security did not say why it was closed and just advised me to go back on Sunday.”
Abu Dhabi health chiefs last week said vaccines would be limited to older age groups, people with disabilities and people with chronic illnesses, over the next six weeks.
Other residents who had their first dose were advised they would be able to take their second as scheduled.
But those who have not yet had their first dose will have to wait until next month.
The decision followed a nationwide move by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
Dubai Health Authority in January postponed appointments for the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot amid a global.
Those who already received their first shot and had an appointment for the second were not affected, it said.
Countries across the world are facing vaccine shortages as demand outstrips supply.
But the UAE on Saturday reached a milestone when it administered its five millionth Covid-19 vaccine dose since the country's inoculation campaign began in December.
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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FIXTURES
New Zealand v France, second Test
Saturday, 12.35pm (UAE)
Auckland, New Zealand
South Africa v Wales
Sunday, 12.40am (UAE), San Juan, Argentina
