Egypt received the third shipment of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines from the United States. The shipment of an additional 1.4 million Pfizer doses is part of a 500-million-dose donation from the US to the countries of the African Union through COVAX.
This aims to help protect Egyptians from COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the virus’s dangerous new strains.
US Ambassador to Cairo Jonathan Cohen noted, “I am so pleased to celebrate the arrival of this vaccine shipment, the third direct donation of 1.4 million doses of Pfizer from the people of the United States to the people of Egypt. This is part of more than 8 million Pfizer vaccine doses the United States is sending to Egypt. Today’s vaccine donation underscores our continuing commitment to support Egypt through this global health crisis.”
“The US has committed to providing Egypt with more than 8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and has now provided more than 4.6 million doses. In the coming weeks, millions of additional doses of American vaccines will arrive, which are the safest, most effective and most technologically advanced vaccines,” he added.
Pfizer doses will be rapidly dispatched to Ministry of Health and Population facilities in Cairo, Port Said, Dakahlia, Beheira, Luxor and Assiut, and stored in UNICEF-funded cryogenic storage equipment used exclusively for the Pfizer vaccine. Then it will be distributed to vaccination centres across the country and will be distributed to Egyptian citizens and residents.
Naeema Al Gasseer, WHO representative in Egypt stated, this is great news that shows the generosity of the people and government of the United States. She explained that with the arrival of the third shipment of Pfizer’s anti-Corona vaccines, the World Health Organization renews its appreciation to the US government in its relentless pursuit of justice in vaccines to combat the epidemic through solidarity and cooperation.
“We continue to work alongside Egyptian health authorities and partners to provide vaccinations to everyone living in Egypt to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable populations and health care workers,” she added.
“UNICEF thanks the United States government for its continued support to the COVID-19 response and life-saving vaccination in Egypt. Today’s support is critical and timely and with the potential for the next coronavirus wave, we need to get as many parents and educators as we can get their coronavirus vaccines,” said UNICEF Representative in Egypt, Jeremy Hopkins.
Hopkins added, “To this end, we particularly appreciate the efforts of the Minister of Education, Tarek Shawky, to ensure continued learning by encouraging teachers to get vaccinated.”
“It is important that parents and teachers receive protection and be able to fully support the millions of children who are back in school in Egypt,” Hopkins concluded.
