Egypt has announced that 129 million COVID-19 vaccine doses are available for its citizens amid officials' expectations of surge in Omicron cases.
Acting Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said the whole world is witnessing a surge in coronavirus infections, including Egypt.
He pointed to the highly transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant, stressing that the number of cases reported does not determine the current epidemiological situation.
The Omicron variant is expected to sweep the world during the coming three weeks, Abdel-Ghaffar noted in televised statements on Friday.
Common Omicron symptoms include sore throat, congestion, runny nose and headache, all of which are flu-like symptoms, the minister said, adding that occasionally there can be nausea and diarrhea, and other people may have muscle aches, fever and chills.
According to the minister, health authorities in Cairo are using the same treatment protocols for Omicron cases.
Scientific research has proven that the vaccines help overcome symptoms and do not prevent infection, he stated, warning that unvaccinated people are more likely to need hospitalization and suffer severe symptoms.
For its part, the Health Ministry underscored Saturday the importance of vaccination.
It issued a statement advising people to isolate as soon as they feel any flu symptoms and head directly to the hospital in case they had any respiratory problems.
