Egypt receives new 300k shipment of China’s Sinopharm vaccine

Egypt on Saturday, March 20, received a second shipment of coronavirus vaccine donated by China, officials said, as the country tries to speed up its vaccination campaign. (File/AP)

• The Sinopharm vaccine produces antibodies in 99% of coronavirus cases, and is totally effective in eliminating infections in moderate and severe cases
• Egypt is among dozens of nations depending on China to help rescue them from the COVID-19 pandemic

CAIRO: Egypt has received a further 300,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccine as part of its anti-coronavirus campaign, Minister of Health Hala Zayed has said.
The shipment will undergo analysis by the Egyptian Drug Authorities (EDA) and will soon be used in the country’s rollout targeting medical workers, Egyptians with underlying health conditions and the elderly.
Eligible citizens are required to register online to take part in the rollout. Once given approval, they can visit one of the 40 designated health facilities located across the country to receive a vaccine.
The EDA previously granted the Sinopharm vaccine emergency approval.
The jab produces antibodies in 99 percent of coronavirus cases, and is totally effective in eliminating infections in moderate and severe cases.
In February, Egypt received its first major shipment of the Sinopharm vaccine.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian government has raised concerns that coronavirus case numbers could soon spike during the holy month of Ramadan.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly urged people to take “extra care and caution” ahead of the Ramadan season.