Algeria Says 2.5 Million People Have Been Vaccinated
Algeria confirmed Sunday that more than 2 million people have received
the COVID-19 vaccine, as part of efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Algeria’s vaccination campaign had kicked off last January at a clinic
in Blida province, which was hit by the virus after Algeria’s first infection
was recorded there in a citizen travelling from France.
The country has since recorded more than 3,500 deaths from COVID-19. In
the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry registered 277 new infections, 203
recoveries and eight deaths.
It plans to inoculate 20 million people before the end of the year,
however, experts said the country is way behind with its vaccination campaign
due to the scarce number of doses procured from abroad.
On Sunday, member of the health ministry's scientific committee for
monitoring the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Riyad Mehdaoui said the country has
received around 2.5 million doses of vaccines, adding that the government
expects to import an additional 4 million jabs before the end of June.
He stressed the importance that vaccines be first given to the four
million people who suffer from chronic diseases and diabetes, adding that the
inoculation drive is operating normally despite having kicked off at a slow
pace.
On Sunday, the Health Ministry launched an awareness campaign in the Bab
al-Oued district to encourage residents to take the vaccine.
“Other campaigns are expected in
several districts,” Mehdaoui said.
