Egypt is ready to start giving third booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the near future, according to Mohamed Awad Taj El-Din, the Advisor to the Egyptian President for Health and Preventive Affairs.
He pointed out that by the end of October or early November we will have 60 million vaccine doses that are sufficient to vaccinate those who did not receive vaccines or those who wish to get the third dose.
In televised statements on Saturday evening, Taj El-Din added that about 18 million Egyptian citizens have received the vaccines against the novel coronavirus, expecting that “we will reach the vaccination of 40 million Egyptians by the end of 2021 thanks to the governmental measures.”
He further noted that the vaccination related to the coronavirus is very similar to the seasonal influenza vaccination in its effectiveness, as its effect lasts from 6 months to 9 months and a maximum of a year.
“All clinical trials applied around the world after vaccination proved that the vaccines that were given with two doses, the third stimulant or booster dose can be given, or re-vaccinated,” he added.
Taj El-Din explained that the priorities for the third dose will be for those who have received two doses of vaccines and have passed this period, provided that they are among the most vulnerable cases of infection, among the elderly and those with chronic diseases, or medical staff.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed announced that one million and 611,909 doses of the coronavirus vaccine, produced by Pfizer have arrived at Cairo International Airport on Saturday evening.
