COVID-19 vaccine rollout begins in Gaza

GAZA CITY, Palestine

The Gaza Strip launched a vaccination campaign against the coronavirus pandemic, with healthcare workers taking the first shots.

“We have begun the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Gaza,” Health Ministry spokesman Ahsraf al-Qidra told a press conference in Gaza City.

He said the drive aims to provide immunity to the Gazans against the pandemic.

Assistant deputy minister Medhat Muhaisen said Gaza has received only 22,000 doses of the vaccine. “Priority will be given to the healthcare workers and old people,” he said.

Health authorities in Gaza earlier said that it had received doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.

The Gaza Strip have so far recorded over 54,000 virus infections, including 543 fatalities.

Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara

GAZA CITY, Palestine

The Gaza Strip launched a vaccination campaign against the coronavirus pandemic, with healthcare workers taking the first shots.

“We have begun the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Gaza,” Health Ministry spokesman Ahsraf al-Qidra told a press conference in Gaza City.

He said the drive aims to provide immunity to the Gazans against the pandemic.

Assistant deputy minister Medhat Muhaisen said Gaza has received only 22,000 doses of the vaccine. “Priority will be given to the healthcare workers and old people,” he said.

Health authorities in Gaza earlier said that it had received doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.

The Gaza Strip have so far recorded over 54,000 virus infections, including 543 fatalities.

Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara