Egypt starts clinical trial for its 1st coronavirus vaccine

CAIRO – 15 November 2021: The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) announced on Sunday the start of clinical trials for the first Egyptian-made coronavirus vaccine Covi Vacc.

Higher Education Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, also acting health minister, said this step crowns the efforts of many researchers and scientists.

In a press conference, Abdel Ghaffar said President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ordered providing all support to the scientists of the National Research Center.

The Egyptian vaccine is prepared in accordance with the international standards for vaccine production, Abdel Ghaffar said.

He added that another Egyptian vaccine will be produced within days in cooperation with other scientific and research institutions.

Chairman of the EDA Tamer Essam said the Egyptian vaccine is effective such as international vaccines.

Egypt has received 73 million doses of eight different coronavirus vaccines, Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar said on Monday.

Egypt has received doses from the vaccines of Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Sinopharm, Sputnik V. This is in addition to the raw material for the production of Sinovac/VACSERA vaccine doses.

Egypt has vaccinated almost 40 million people against coronavirus since the start of its vaccination campaign, Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar told media on Sunday.

Egypt has set a deadline of 15 November for those working in the education sector as well as public sector employees.

All those who have not received the vaccine will not be able to enjoy governmental services, Abdel Ghaffar said.

Egypt has started its vaccination campaign in January this year.

The country has also allowed the vaccination of children who are above 15 years of age to receive the vaccine.

Until Sunday, Egypt has reported a total of 343,961 coronavirus cases and 19,499 related deaths.