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.



UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
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UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)

The UN aid chief said Wednesday that recent "horrifying scenes" of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid were the result of "deliberate choices that have systematically deprived" them of essentials to survive.

A US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in the Gaza Strip announced the temporary closure of its facilities on Wednesday, with the Israeli army warning that roads leading to distribution centers were "considered combat zones".

The announcement by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation follows a string of deadly incidents near the distribution sites it operates.

On Tuesday, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site, with the military saying the incident was under investigation.

"The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement.

"Emergency medical teams have confirmed treating hundreds of trauma cases. Yesterday alone, dozens were declared dead at hospitals after Israeli forces said they had opened fire.

"This is the outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive."

He echoed the call by UN chief Antonio Guterres for immediate independent investigations, saying they were not isolated incidents, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

"No-one should have to risk their life to feed their children," said Fletcher.

The GHF began operations a week ago, but the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with it over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.

Meanwhile the United Nations has described the amount of aid allowed into Gaza, after Israel partially lifted a more than two-month total blockade, as a trickle.

"We must be allowed to do our jobs: we have the teams, the plan, the supplies and the experience," said Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

"Open the crossings -- all of them. Let in life-saving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in.

"Ensure our convoys aren't held up by delays and denials. Release the hostages. Implement the ceasefire."