Egypt to manufacture Russia's Sputnik V, Chinese Sinovac vaccines

Egypt's domestic firm for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) has signed various agreements to produce Sputnik V along with China’s Sinovac in Egypt, even as the nation has deals to buy millions of doses of the Pfizer shot.

According to an official statement on Saturday by Egypt's Minister of Health Hala Zayed, she mentioned that pharmaceutical private firms will be allowed to manufacture vaccines that are 90 percent safe and effective.

"Only one in 10 citizens is at the risk of blood clots that may be linked with certain covid-19 vaccines," the statement added.

While Egypt has been keeping nearly all of its supply for domestic use, it's expected to become a major exporter once its domestic needs are met.

Last week, the local pharmaceutical and Chinese company Sinovac inked two agreements to manufacture the Sinovav vaccine.

On this basis, the agreement between VACSERA and Sinovac should not only boost Egypt's coronavirus vaccine rollout, but the deal should also help global efforts as the doses will likely be exported.

It’s worth mentioning that the Egyptian authorities also halted large exports of various vaccines in March in an effort to expand and boost the domestic vaccination program.