Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry said it hoped to have enough coronavirus vaccines to cover 70 per cent of the kingdom's population by the end of 2021.
During a speech on Al-Ekhbariya TV on Monday, Dr Abdullah Asiri, assistant undersecretary at the ministry, said coronavirus vaccines would be provided to all free of charge, under the direction of King Salman.
Dr Asiri said Saudi Arabia would obtain vaccines through Covax, the vaccines pillar of the Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator launched by the G20, and through companies outside of the consortium.
“One of the most important goals set by the G20 during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency is to support all-inclusive and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostic and treatment tools,” he said.
At a briefing on Friday during the G20 Riyadh Summit, Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre said Saudi Arabia would be among the first countries to obtain a Covid-19 vaccine.
Dr Al Rabeeah said the kingdom had spent more than $200 million on vaccine and drug development.
King Salman ordered free coronavirus treatment for all citizens in March, when the pandemic hit.
Those under 16 are not eligible unless further studies prove it is effective.
Dr Asiri said a comprehensive vaccine distribution plan would “arrive in the coming weeks.”
Three vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca have been found to be at least 70 per cent effective.
More than 58 million people have contracted Covid-19 globally and nearly 1.4 million have died from it.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Stage 5 results
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 3:48:53
2 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team -
3 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott -
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:04
5 Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) CCC Team 0:00:07
General Classification:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 20:35:04
2 Tadej Pogacar (SlO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:01
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:33
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:48
5 Rafał Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:02:11
The specs
Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
