Egypt: Up to 129 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Available

Caption: An Egyptian citizen receives the coronavirus vaccine. (Egyptian Health Ministry)
Caption: An Egyptian citizen receives the coronavirus vaccine. (Egyptian Health Ministry)
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Egypt: Up to 129 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Available

Caption: An Egyptian citizen receives the coronavirus vaccine. (Egyptian Health Ministry)
Caption: An Egyptian citizen receives the coronavirus vaccine. (Egyptian Health Ministry)

Egypt has announced that 129 million COVID-19 vaccine doses are available for its citizens amid officials' expectations of surge in Omicron cases.

Acting Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said the whole world is witnessing a surge in coronavirus infections, including Egypt.

He pointed to the highly transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant, stressing that the number of cases reported does not determine the current epidemiological situation.

The Omicron variant is expected to sweep the world during the coming three weeks, Abdel-Ghaffar noted in televised statements on Friday.

Common Omicron symptoms include sore throat, congestion, runny nose and headache, all of which are flu-like symptoms, the minister said, adding that occasionally there can be nausea and diarrhea, and other people may have muscle aches, fever and chills.

According to the minister, health authorities in Cairo are using the same treatment protocols for Omicron cases.

Scientific research has proven that the vaccines help overcome symptoms and do not prevent infection, he stated, warning that unvaccinated people are more likely to need hospitalization and suffer severe symptoms.

For its part, the Health Ministry underscored Saturday the importance of vaccination.

It issued a statement advising people to isolate as soon as they feel any flu symptoms and head directly to the hospital in case they had any respiratory problems.



US Campaign Against Houthis Expected to Expand

A US fighter jet takes off from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman to strike Houthis (AP)
A US fighter jet takes off from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman to strike Houthis (AP)
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US Campaign Against Houthis Expected to Expand

A US fighter jet takes off from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman to strike Houthis (AP)
A US fighter jet takes off from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman to strike Houthis (AP)

The US campaign against the Houthis, launched by President Donald Trump, entered its third week with new airstrikes targeting the group’s strongholds.

Late Tuesday into Wednesday, the strikes hit Houthi positions in Saada province in the north, Hajjah province, and extended to the coastal governorate of Hodeidah along the Red Sea.

This comes amid growing anticipation of expanded operations, following the deployment of a second US aircraft carrier to the region.

While the Houthis claimed to have targeted US forces in the northern Red Sea with drones and missiles, a Yemeni minister revealed widespread panic among the group's leaders.

He noted that they had begun selling off properties and smuggling their families out via Sana’a airport.

Trump ordered the campaign against the Houthis on March 15, aiming to force the group to halt threats to maritime security.

He vowed to use “deadly force” and “eliminate them entirely” after the Houthis escalated attacks following the collapse of the second phase of the Gaza truce between Israel and Hamas.

Houthi media reported that airstrikes targeted the al-Mansuriyah district in Hodeidah, claiming they hit a water project and killed four civilians. The group also acknowledged that eastern Saada city was struck by five air raids.

The US campaign is expected to expand in the coming days after Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the deployment of the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson to the Middle East.

It will join the Harry S. Truman, which is currently leading strikes against the Houthis.

With the group remaining tight-lipped about its military losses, including equipment and senior figures, the full impact of the US offensive on its capabilities remains unclear.

Meanwhile, the Houthis’ defense minister claimed they were prepared for a “long-term confrontation.”

The Houthis joined the regional escalation following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, launching around 200 missiles and drones toward Israel.

However, the attacks had little military impact, with the only reported fatality occurring in Tel Aviv in June.