Saudi Arabia launches large-scale COVID-19 vaccination campaign

Cairo: Saudi Arabia today started a large-scale campaign to vaccinate its citizens and expatriates against COVID-19.

Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah was shown receiving a dose of the vaccine.

“Upon directives of the King and direct follow-up from the Crown Prince, the largest vaccination campaign in the kingdom has started,” the official said.

“The kingdom is keen on fair distribution of the vaccine to citizens and foreign residents. Today marks the start of easing the [coronavirus] crisis,” he said, according to the Saudi news agency SPA.

Vaccinations centres will be set up across the kingdom, Dr. Al Rabiah added.

Vaccine arrives

The Health Ministry posted on its Twitter account pictures of the first two Saudis taking the vaccine.

On Wednesday morning and evening, the first two batches of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Health Ministry announced the start of registration for the COVID-19 vaccine for all citizens and expatriates in the kingdom through the smart app “Sehhaty” by visiting http://onelink.to/yjc3nj.

Vaccination priority is given to those aged over 65, people at a high risk of infection due to their professions, and those suffering from obesity, chronic diseases or immunity deficiency.