Lebanon kicks off COVID-19 vaccine rollout

In this photo illustration taken in Ankara, Turkey on December 28, 2020 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine logo is displayed on a screen with a syringe in the front [Ali Balıkçı – Anadolu Agency]

Lebanon’s national vaccination campaign against the coronavirus pandemic began Sunday, Anadolu Agency reports.

Mahmoud Hasson, the head of the intensive care unit at the Rafik Hariri Hospital in Beirut, and actor Salah Tizani, 93, received the first shots.

Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and Health Minister Hamad Hassan were present during the inoculation.

“I will not be receiving the vaccine today,” Diab told reporters. “Priority will be given to the medical staff, who have made great sacrifices and they must be given full protection in order to do their message.”

READ: Lebanon to start COVID-19 vaccination campaign

The medical staff and people over 75 will be the first to be vaccinated against the COVID-19.

On Saturday, Lebanon received the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Last month, the Lebanese Health Ministry said it booked 2.1 million of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which will be received in stages over the year.

Lebanon has so far confirmed 336,992 virus infections, including 3,961 fatalities.

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