Syrian authorities receive donation of China’s Covid-19 vaccines (+ Photos)

Damascus, Apr 25 (Prensa Latina) Syrian health authorities received the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines donated by the People's Republic of China.

April 25, 2021
08:17

The initiative reflects deep friendship and highlights China’s efforts to contain the pandemic and contribute to saving humanity, the Syrian Health Minister, Dr. Hassan al-Ghobash, said in statements to the press after the batch of vaccines arrived at Damascus International Airport on Saturday.

Al-Ghobash stated that this first batch consisted of 150,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and will be followed in coming days by another shipment containing the same number of shots, which would complete the immunization of the entire health personnel, the elderly and people suffering from chronic diseases.

On Thursday, April 22, Syria received 203,000 Covid-19 vaccines from the Covax global platform launched by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Syrian Health Ministry recently announced that it plans to vaccinate up to 25 percent of the population this year.

According to data from the Health Ministry, Syria has confirmed 22,000 Covid-19 contagions, 15,731 recoveries and 1,526 deaths to date.

Syria currently faces the pandemic amid a suffocating blockade and severe sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union, which prevent imports of necessary medical supplies.