Egypt's Health minister: 250,000 to be vaccinated against Covid-19 this week

CAIRO - 21 March 2020: Health Minister Hala Zayed said on Saturday that her ministry targets to vaccinate around 250,000 medical workers and eligible citizens against Covid-19 by the end of this week.

During a meeting with health officials from all governorates, Zayed directed to increase the number of medical centers allocated for administering the vaccine doses, in the governorates with the highest infections.

Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said the minister followed up on the process of administering the vaccine doses to medical staff and eligible citizens, who include the elderly and those with chronic diseases.

Earlier this month, Egypt initiated mass vaccinations against Covid-19, starting with the elderly and patients with chronic diseases.
 

Egypt received on Saturday morning received another 300,000 Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine doses as a gift from China.

The new shipment adds to 350,000 Sinopharm doses already imported by Egypt over the recent months, including 300,000 doses also as a gift.

The new shipment came with a seal, saying: “China’s aid for a mutual future,” as China already granted its vaccine to many countries to help them face the pandemic.

Egypt also has 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses and is expected to receive millions of doses of this vaccine over the coming three months.

Health Ministry’s spokesman Khaled Megahed said the new shipment will be examined at the Egyptian Drug Authority before it goes for the vaccination of the rest of medical teams, the elderly and people suffering from chronic diseases.

Egypt has already started its vaccination campaign since January, providing vaccine to thousands of doctors and medical workers as well as the sick people and the elderly who registered at the specialized website.