Tunisia vaccinates more than 0.5m people in one day

Tunisia announced that more than half a million citizens received doses of the coronavirus vaccine, during the largest inoculation operation in the country.

The Tunisian Ministry of Health said in a statement that “the final results of the opening day of intensive vaccination operations in all governorates of the republic reached 551,000 vaccinations in 335 centres,” which brings the number of those who received the vaccination to 3.8 million people, of whom 2.5 million received a first dose and 1.2 million have now had both doses.

On 2 August, President Kais Saied ordered a national vaccination day to be held for those over the age of 40 in light of the availability of six million doses that have been “donated by brotherly and friendly countries,” and in preparation for organising similar campaigns for other age groups.

In the past few months, and due to political and economic challenges, the health crisis in Tunisia worsened and the pace of administering vaccinations slowed.

Tunisia has recorded 610,660 infections, including 20,931 fatalities and 542,210 recoveries, according to the latest official toll.

Since mid-July, Tunisia has received international aid, including vaccines from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

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