Saudi Arabia ‘among world’s first 3 countries’ to start vaccine rollout, says Minister

Saudi Arabia will start the rollout of its vaccination program over the coming few days, Al Ekhbariya TV reported, citing Abdullah Assiri, Assistant Deputy Minister for Preventive Health.

“The Kingdom is one among the first three countries worldwide that will start the vaccine rollout,” Assiri stated.

The program will commence in three phases, with the first stage targeting people most exposed to the disease. The vaccine will then be made available to the wider public as and when the batches arrive.

The first phase will also target key regions, as the vaccine shots should be kept at sub-zero temperatures. However, other vaccines need not be kept cold and can be distributed at a wider range, Assiri indicated.

“We expect more vaccines to be registered over the coming months. The ministry seeks a wide-reaching vaccination program to curb the pandemic outbreak by 2021-end,” Assiri added.

Minister of Health Tawfig Al-Rabiah said, on Dec. 16, on the sidelines of Budget 2021 Forum that the Kingdom received its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, Argaam reported.