Egypt to Receive 100 Mln Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine

The Minister of Health, Hala Zayed, said that Egypt had ordered 100 million doses of Coronavirus vaccines through different companies, according to Alarabiya.

During an intervention on MBC Masr, Zayed added that the vaccines contracted include 40 million doses of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, 20 million doses of AstraZeneca, which can be increased, and 40 million doses of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Zayed indicated that this number will be sufficient for about 50 million people, which is equivalent to nearly half of the population.

The minister stated that funds are available to purchase vaccines, and Vacsera is currently negotiating to manufacture the Coronavirus vaccine locally.

She revealed that the AstraZeneca vaccine supplying will start during the third or fourth week of January. She added that negotiations with the company are in their final stages after the approval of the Drug Authority and the cabinet on the technical and financial aspects. She said that financial needs have been provided to purchase the Coronavirus vaccines from multiple companies.

Zayed pointed out that it had been agreed with the AstraZeneca company to supply 20 million doses of the vaccine and could be increased.

She said that the Medicines Authority agreed on Saturday to license the Chinese vaccine Sinopharma for emergency use in Egypt. The minister said that last week, she signed with the Chinese ambassador in Cairo to supply 40 million doses of the Sinopharma vaccine, as well as to manufacture it through Vacsera.

Regarding the possibility of agreeing with Pfizer to use its vaccine in Egypt, Zayed said that the ministry is still negotiating with the company.

Zayed said that she held meetings a few days ago with representatives of Pfizer America, Dubai and Egypt in the presence of the scientific committee supervising the fight against Coronavirus and representatives of the Drug and Purchase Authority for consultation About the company’s vaccines supply. The steps will be taken after the company’s financial offer.

The minister revealed that the Coronavirus vaccine will not be free for everyone, as the Long Live Egypt Fund will bear the cost for people who are unable to pay. It will be linked to systems of solidarity and dignity.

She added: “It is not necessary for it to be free for all. Those who are able to buy the vaccine will pay for it as long as they have the ability to buy it.”

The minister explained that the Coronavirus vaccinations will be conducted periodically afterward, just like the seasonal flu vaccines.