The region is especially vulnerable to online misinformation due to high internet penetration rates (of over 90% across the region) combined with low public trust in government authorities and lack of government transparency. A large number of GCC citizens access information about the pandemic and the vaccine from non-official sources of uneven quality and veracity.
Concerns about the efficacy of the Sinopharm vaccine are high in the UAE, but diplomatic ties with China will likely remain robust.
Improvements in public healthcare infrastructure during the pandemic, if sustained, promise long-term benefits.
Public discontent over government handling of the pandemic is most acute in Kuwait.
Cybersecurity preparedness will improve across the GCC; Bahrain is a notable laggard.
