Egypt Inoculates 14 Million Citizens against COVID-19

The minister of higher education during a visit to Ain Shams University on Saturday, October 10, 2021. (Egyptian government’s Facebook page)
The minister of higher education during a visit to Ain Shams University on Saturday, October 10, 2021. (Egyptian government’s Facebook page)
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Egypt Inoculates 14 Million Citizens against COVID-19

The minister of higher education during a visit to Ain Shams University on Saturday, October 10, 2021. (Egyptian government’s Facebook page)
The minister of higher education during a visit to Ain Shams University on Saturday, October 10, 2021. (Egyptian government’s Facebook page)

Health authorities in Egypt announced that they have so far vaccinated 14 million citizens against COVID-19.

Dr. Mohamed Awad Taj El-Din, adviser to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for health affairs, said 31 million doses available in the country.

“Large quantities of the Chinese vaccine have been manufactured locally,” he noted, adding there is abundance in raw materials.

Egypt is currently grappling with the fourth wave of the pandemic, Taj El-Din said urging people to continue to respect preventive measures, including maintaining social distancing and wearing masks.

The Health Ministry has recorded 310,745 coronavirus infections so far, including 262,043 recoveries and 17,619 deaths.

Meanwhile, the new academic year at schools and universities began on Saturday, amid strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

School administrations urged students to adhere to the health measures and ensure full in-person attendance for the entire year.

A health committee was assigned to each school to make sure that students, faculty and staff respect health precautions, such as mask wearing and social distancing.



Palestinians Create Role for a Vice President and Possible Abbas Successor

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
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Palestinians Create Role for a Vice President and Possible Abbas Successor

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)

The Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday announced the creation of a vice presidency under 89-year-old leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has not specified a successor.
The PLO Central Council's decision came as Abbas seeks greater relevance and a role in postwar planning for the Gaza Strip after having been largely sidelined by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
After a two-day meeting, the council voted to create the role of vice chairman of the PLO Executive Committee. This position would also be referred to as the vice president of the State of Palestine, which the Palestinians hope will one day receive full international recognition.
The expectation is that whoever holds that role would be the front-runner to succeed Abbas — though it’s unclear when or exactly how it would be filled. Abbas is to choose his vice president from among the other 15 members of the PLO's executive committee.