Egypt to begin COVID-19 vaccinations on Sunday: Sisi

Egypt to begin COVID-19 vaccinations on Sunday: Sisi

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out on Sunday, with priority to the country's medical staff who are on the frontline battling the outbreak.

In statements to reporters on Saturday, El-Sisi said the immunisation roll-out will then include patients suffering from chronic diseases and elderly citizens.

His statements come as the health ministry announced the start of the vaccination program in Ismailia's Abu Khalifa hospital on Sunday.

Egypt's target is to vaccinate around 207,000 in medical staff in isolation as well as in chest and fever hospitals nationwide, a source told the Al-Ahram Arabic news website.

The roll-out would see each person receiving two shots administered 21 days apart.

Egypt is looking to boost its supply of coronavirus vaccines to face the outbreak in the overpopulous country which many fear could overwhelm the country's health system.

Earlier this month, Egypt approved the emergency use of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, with priority of the vaccination program given to medical front-liners, patients suffering from chronic diseases and the elderly.

The first batch of vaccines, which Egypt received in December, was tested by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) to ensure its safety for use.

The Egyptian