covid-19 vaccination drive Archives • Middle East 24/7

The Saudi government on December 17 has rolled out the first phase of its COVID-19 vaccination for the public.

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After receiving two of the first shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday, authorities immediately got on the ground and inoculated residents for the first phase of the public vaccination drive.

[LOOK] Saudi Gov’t Launches Free COVID-19 Vaccination Drive for Public — Credits: Saudi Gazette

[PHOTOS] Free COVID-19 Vaccination Drive Launched by Saudi Gov’t for Citizens, Residents

Earlier this week, health authorities instructed citizens and residents to register for the drive, which saw around 150,000 individuals registering for the shot which started on Thursday, the Saudi Gazette reported.

VACCINE IS HERE: First #Saudis receive #COVID19 vaccine, a landmark moment in the fight against the pandemic pic.twitter.com/uOqICv76rw

— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) December 17, 2020

The vaccination drive, which will be provided free of charge to all residents and citizens of the Kingdom, will be divided into three stages.

Here are some of the photos taken during the first phase of the vaccination drive starting December 17:

Vaccination Drive in Three Stages

The first stage covers high-risk groups which include senior citizens (65 years old and above); immuno-compromised people/people who have immune deficiency conditions; obese individuals with Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 40; people who have suffered from a stroke; and individuals who have more than two chronic diseases including asthma, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the drive will cover the following populations:

Frontline health workers;
People aged 50 years and above;
People living with one chronic condition (asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic heart disease including coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and active cancer); and
People whose BMI ranges between 30 and 40.

And lastly, the third phase will cover the rest of the citizens and residents including expats and migrant workers.