In Pictures: Saudi COVID-19 vaccination begins

First Saudi citizen preparing to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) in the capital Riyadh, as part of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi health ministry.

Saudi Arabia plans to offer the vaccine free to all residents in the kingdom. The country, which has reported about 360,000 cases and 6,080 deaths, began lifting coronavirus lockdowns from May. Saudi Arabia earlier this week asked citizens and residents to sign up for its vaccination program. The first phase will include people most exposed to the disease, while the second and third stages will target those over 50 before the vaccine is made available to the wider public.

Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) in the capital Riyadh, as part of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi health ministry.

A woman celebrating as the first female Saudi citizen receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) in the capital Riyadh, as part of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi health ministry.

A view of the vaccine room where the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) is being administered as part of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi health ministry.

First Saudi citizen preparing to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) in the capital Riyadh.

Boxes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) are unloaded at the location where the vaccines are being administered by Saudi health authorities in the capital Riyadh.

Nursing staff wait at the location where the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) is being administered.

A nurse speaks to a man before administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran).

Saudi women, after receiving doses of COVID-19 vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah speaks to reporters after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran).

A man in a wheelchair leaves after he received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Riyadh.

A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh.