Egypt has authorized Russia’s single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine against COVID-19, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which markets the shot abroad, said on Friday.
The country approved Russia’s two-dose Sputnik V vaccine in February.
Egyptian health authorities are also closely following the fourth COVID-19 wave to curb its spread across the country.
Dr. Mohamed Awad Taj El-Din, the adviser to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for Health Affairs, said the state has gained experience in addressing the pandemic during the past three waves, noting that the fourth wave has not reached its peak yet.
In statements on Thursday, Taj El-Din pointed out that the European Union highly appreciates the state’s efforts to confront the virus and provide vaccines for its citizens, stressing the importance of adhering to preventive measures.
According to the Health Ministry, COVID cases are on the rise with 299,710 infections reported, 17,074 deaths and 252,471 recoveries.
In this regard, Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed thanked the Greek government for supporting Egypt's fight against the pandemic.
During her meeting with the Greek ambassador to Cairo, Nikolaos Garilidis on Thursday, she thanked him for the 250,000 AstraZeneca doses that Greece sent to Egypt earlier this week.
She also highlighted the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
Garilidis, for his part, stressed the importance of cooperation and the exchange of experience with Egypt, especially regarding its response to the pandemic.
