Morocco receives 4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine

Morocco has already received 2 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine last month in addtion to 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine

An elderly Moroccan man receives a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at an inoculation centre in the city of Sale on February 12, 2021. AFP

Morocco received a second batch of 4 million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine on Thursday, having began Africa’s first national vaccination campaign two weeks ago, health ministry sources said.

The shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines, manufactured by India's Serum Institute, arrived on a Royal Air Maroc flight in Casablanca.

“This new batch would enable a steady continuation of Morocco’s national vaccination campaign,” said Said Afif, a member of the health ministry’s scientific committee.

The latest batch of AstraZeneca vaccines follows 2 million doses received last month. Morocco has also received 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine.

Both vaccines require two doses and do not need ultra-cold storage.

By Wednesday, Morocco had vaccinated 746,116 people and reported 476,689 coronavirus infections and 8,436 deaths.

The country has ordered enough vaccine for 33 million people and aims to inoculate 80 per cent of the population.

Morocco's vaccine programme initially targets those most vulnerable to the virus, including healthcare workers, members of the security forces and of other public authorities, and people over the age of 75.