عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

High Registration Turnout to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia considers receiving two new vaccines after Pfizer-BioNTech’s (Photo: Bashir Saleh)
Saudi Arabia considers receiving two new vaccines after Pfizer-BioNTech’s (Photo: Bashir Saleh)
TT
TT

High Registration Turnout to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia considers receiving two new vaccines after Pfizer-BioNTech’s (Photo: Bashir Saleh)
Saudi Arabia considers receiving two new vaccines after Pfizer-BioNTech’s (Photo: Bashir Saleh)

Saudi Arabia has set up large vaccination centers to inoculate residents against COVID-19, as part of its vaccination campaign launched in mid-December.

The campaign has seen a very high registration turnout by citizens and residents who wish to receive the vaccine.

Meanwhile, it inaugurated a new coronavirus vaccination center in the Nojoud Medical Center in Madinah.

The center marked the beginning of the vaccination campaign in Madinah, following several vaccination centers in various cities across the kingdom.

In the coming weeks, the Health Ministry is expected to inaugurate similar centers in Makkah and al-Ahsa (eastern Saudi Arabia).

The Ministry is receiving registration applications by citizens wishing to receive the vaccine in four cities.

The number of registrations through Sehhaty (My Health) app has amounted to more than two million people during the first month of the vaccine distribution.

Notably, the ministry receives 100,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine per week.

The US Food and Drug Administration and joint sectors are conducting research to register and approve other vaccines, including the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines, after authorizing the use of Pfizer vaccine in late 2020.

The US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, John Abizaid, received his first COVID-19 vaccine dose in Riyadh on Monday.

“I assure the American community here that the vaccine is safe and effective. The Saudi organizing and efficiency were very impressive,” Abizaid was quoted as saying after he received the shot.

For his part, German Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jorg Ranau received his second shot of the vaccine and expressed gratitude it is available in the kingdom.

He urged people to receive the vaccine, being the only safe way to achieve community immunity that would enable the return to normal life.

Regarding the number of coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia, the health ministry announced recording 170 new cases, raising the infection tally to 365,099, including 1922 active cases and 317 critical cases.

It also recorded 161 recoveries, amounting to 356,848 in total, while recording six new deaths to raise the death toll to 6329.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
TT
TT

Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.