A+ A-

Egypt begins distributing Chinese vaccine

Egypt begins distributing Chinese vaccine
Egypt begins distributing Chinese vaccine
CAIRO, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- Egyptian Minister of Health Dr. Hala Zayed declared on Sunday start of distributing doses of the Chinese-made anti-covid vaccine Sinopharm; to be administered first to medical staff at hospitals for isolated cases.
Speaking at a news conference, the minister has assured would-be takers of the jabs that the vaccine is safe adding its efficacy is in the range of 86 percent and its success in producing anti-bodies has reached 99 percent.
The Chinese vaccine capacity of withstanding severe or medium infections has reached 100, she has said, adding that the jabs will be given to those aged above 18 and that it will not be given to the pregnant or children.
The doses will be available at 36 centers throughout the nation and will be secured for medical teams at hospitals, those of chronic disease and the elderly.
The vaccine effectiveness ranges between three to six months, provided that the in takers continue to adhere to anti-covid precautions, minister Zayed said. A second dose must be administered 21 days after the first one, she elaborated.
Egypt is expected to receive supplies of various vaccines, including the British AstraZeneca and doses from the Geneva-based GAVI vaccine alliance.
The minister has indicated that once injecting the medical staff is done, jabs will be given to citizens of chronic and critical diseases.
The vaccination will be voluntary and free of charges, Dr. Zayed added, re-urging the people to continue adhere to standard precautions such as mask wearing, social distancing, regular hands' washing and avoiding crowded locations. (end) rg.rk