Egypt to offer Covid vaccines to workers in vital economic sectors amid fears of third wave

Egypt began its vaccination programme with frontline medical workers followed by the elderly and people who have chronic illnesses

People wait to be vaccinated against Covid-19 at a health centre, in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters

Authorities in Egypt are planning to start vaccinating workers in tourism, industrial and other vital economic sectors while continuing to vaccinate the elderly and patients with chronic diseases.

The government will soon offer to vaccinate Egyptians planning to travel abroad along with those travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, a statement from Health Minister Hala Zayed said.

Egypt began its vaccine programme with frontline medical workers, followed by the elderly and people who have chronic illnesses. The total number of Egyptians vaccinated will hit 250,000 by the end of this week, said the minister.

She said the vaccination of workers employed in the tourism, industrial and other economic sectors reflected what she described as the government’s intention to maintain economic growth during the pandemic.

Egypt’s economy grew by more than 2 percent in 2020 despite the pandemic that caused other economies in the region to contract.

Authorities imposed a March-July lockdown last year, dealing the economy a body blow at a time when it was finally showing signs of recovery after years of slumping.

However, restrictions were significantly relaxed from then on, with the government constantly urging Egyptians to diligently observe preventive measure such as wearing masks and social distancing but remained reluctant to impose another lockdown fearing an economic meltdown.

The ministry’s latest announcement on vaccination followed a warning by President Abdel Fatah El Sisi on Sunday that the country was about to be hit by the pandemic’s “third wave.”

“We pray to God the Almighty that it will pass … It [the pandemic] has gone on for too long, but we have no choice. God has been kind to us and we hope that He continues to be so,” said the Egyptian leader.

He also warned against the higher chances of infection during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, when family and friends traditionally gather in large numbers over iftar, the meal breaking the day fast. Ramadan begins around mid-April this year.

The daily number of Covid-19 infections in Egypt has been averaging around 500-600 for weeks with a death toll hovering around 40 a day, according to Health Ministry figures.

However, these relatively low numbers are chiefly due to very limited testing and only reflect those who have been treated for or died of Covid-19 in the state health sector.

Government officials and experts have said the actual numbers could be as many as 10 times what the ministry announces.

Mrs Zayed, the health minister, said the government hoped to sign an agreement with China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd before the end of March to locally produce its coronavirus vaccine.

Talks between Sinovac and Egypt's Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines have reached an "advanced stage", she said.

Egypt hoped to become a regional hub for manufacturing the vaccine for local use and to export to African countries, she said.

Egypt has not received Sinovac vaccines, but has acquired 650,000 doses of another Chinese vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).

Egypt also was ready to cooperate with Chinese companies developing new coronavirus vaccines in third phase trials. Egypt participated in similar trials of the Sinopharm vaccine last year.