The Algerian government has announced that the country is set to receive its first batch of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine, Spoutnik V, imminently. According to Djamel Fourar, spokesperson for the scientific committee tracking the evolution of the pandemic and director-general of prevention at the health ministry, the vaccine will likely arrive within the next 48 hours. The exact timing depends on the ongoing efforts of the Institut Pasteur d'Algérie and its Russian partner to finalize the acquisition.
Once the vaccine is received, Algeria plans to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign, which will be free of charge for citizens. Fourar emphasized that the campaign will not rely solely on the Russian vaccine, as there are global supply chain tensions. In addition to Spoutnik V, Algeria is also expecting to receive between 8 and 10 million doses of vaccine through the COVAX system, which will enable the vaccination of 20% of the population in the first quarter of 2021.
The Algerian health ministry has been exploring various vaccine options, including the British AstraZeneca vaccine, which has similar characteristics to Spoutnik V. Fourar revealed that the ministry held a meeting with directors of public health from across the country's 48 wilayas to provide them with the latest directives ahead of the vaccination campaign. The meeting focused on the overall organization and planning of the vaccination process, which will take place across 8,000 health structures.
The Algerian government aims to vaccinate at least 80% of the population to achieve herd immunity. Priority groups for vaccination include healthcare workers, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals. Fourar explained that the vaccination campaign will be rolled out over several months, possibly up to a year, and that it is essential to stagger vaccine deliveries to ensure that all priority groups can be vaccinated.
Fourar stressed that no country can vaccinate its entire population in a short period and that it is crucial to start with a small quantity of vaccine. He expressed confidence in Algeria's experience with vaccination campaigns, citing the 2003 measles vaccination campaign, which successfully vaccinated 10 million children in less than a week. To ensure that all areas are covered, mobile teams will be deployed to remote and hard-to-reach areas, supported by the Algerian military.
The Algerian health ministry is working to ensure a smooth vaccination process, with a focus on logistics and infrastructure. Fourar emphasized that the ministry has learned from past experiences and is well-prepared to handle the challenges of a large-scale vaccination campaign. The government has also assured citizens that the vaccine will be safe and effective.
As Algeria prepares to receive its first batch of Covid-19 vaccine, the government is urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue to follow public health guidelines. Fourar emphasized that vaccination is just one part of the overall strategy to combat the pandemic and that continued efforts are needed to control the spread of the virus.
Key points
- Algeria to receive first batch of Russian Covid-19 vaccine Spoutnik V imminently.
- The country aims to vaccinate at least 80% of the population to achieve herd immunity.
- The vaccination campaign will be rolled out over several months, possibly up to a year.
