Experts Discuss Progress, Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine During KAIMRC Forum

King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)
King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)
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Experts Discuss Progress, Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine During KAIMRC Forum

King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)
King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)

International scientists and medical experts discussed the global challenges and prospects related to the development of vaccines for the coronavirus disease during the 11th KAIMRC Annual Forum for Medical Research.

The two-day forum, organized by King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), launched virtually in Riyadh on November 04, under the title “COVID-19 Vaccine: Global Challenges and Prospects.”

The forum comes as part of programs and international conferences held under Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20.

About 32 international experts from global academic institutions including the Universities of Oxford, Harvard, and Stanford participated in the 10 scientific sessions of the forum done over videoconference.

Specialists discussed the latest developments in vaccine production and reviewed the currently produced vaccines, clinical studies, and the future availability of the vaccine.

CEO of National Guard-Health Affairs Bandar al-Knawy affirmed that the forum contributes to enabling scientists, researchers, doctors, and companies to discuss the performance and the timetable for the production and global distribution of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Health announced there are 7,871 active cases in the country, most of which are in good condition.

In addition, 441 more patients recovered from the disease on Wednesday, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 335,594.

Meanwhile, the total number of people that have now contracted COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia reached 348,936, with 426 new cases confirmed on Wednesday, while the Health Ministry reported 15 new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the death toll to 5,471.

The ministry said it had conducted 63,643 new PCR tests in the past 24 hours.



GASTAT: Number of Umrah Performers Rose by 31% in Q4 2024

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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GASTAT: Number of Umrah Performers Rose by 31% in Q4 2024

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), in its report on Umrah statistics for the fourth quarter of 2024, revealed on Thursday that the number of Umrah performers increased by 31% compared to the same quarter in 2023.

The report showed that males constituted about 53% of the Umrah performers, while females accounted for 47%. Saudi nationals comprised 4.5% of the total, with the Makkah Region recording the highest number of domestic Umrah performers.
The report also indicated a 26.2% increase in international Umrah performers compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Of these, 64.7% arrived with an Umrah visa. December saw the highest number of international Umrah performers at 38.2%, while November recorded the highest percentage of domestic Umrah performers completing the ritual for one time, representing 34% of the total.
Umrah statistics have been issued quarterly since 2024, detailing the numbers and percentages of domestic and international Umrah performers based on data from the Pilgrim Experience Program, along with approved statistical models.