By Qais Abu Samra
RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Palestine’s Health Ministry said on Thursday it has received 10,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine.
Palestine kicked off its COVID-19 vaccination campaign this week, with health workers the first to be inoculated.
The campaign started after the arrival of a first shipment of 2,000 doses of American firm Moderna’s vaccine.
After health workers, people over the age of 60 and those with chronic diseases will be vaccinated, Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said in a statement.
She said the Palestinian government has also placed orders for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and will receive it “during the coming period.”
Some 37,000 vaccine doses are also due to arrive in Palestine under the COVAX initiative, according to the minister.
“This campaign will continue until we complete the vaccination of 3.2 million people, and this matter will take months,” she said.
Palestine’s COVID-19 caseload currently stands at 180,688, including 2,042 fatalities and 169,930 recoveries.
*Ahmed Asmar in Ankara contributed to this report