Second batch of Covid-19 vaccine arrives in Libya

Almost 60,000 doses of the British AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine have arrived in Libya, provided by the Covax initiative.

JOHANNESBURG, April 9 (ANA) – Almost 60,000 doses of the British AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine has arrived in Libya, provided by the Covax initiative, according to the Ministry of Health of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The Libya Observer reported that this is the second batch of Covid-19 vaccines to reach the country, as more than 100,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine arrived on April 4.

The publication reported that the prime minister of the GNU, Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, declared that by April 11 one million doses of the vaccine will have arrived in Libya.

Health Minister Ali Al-Zanati said that the vaccination campaign will start during the middle or end of next week, adding that the campaign will target everyone residing in Libya, whether Libyan or not.

Meanwhile, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Friday that Libya has been preparing to launch the national vaccination campaign at a time when the number of coronavirus cases exceeds 166,000.

The National Center for Disease Control published on Thursday guidelines calling on citizens who wish to receive the vaccine to check themselves for any Covid-19-related symptoms.

Libya received the first shipment of Sputnik V on Sunday.

“It is the first drop of rain. Thank God, we are able to supply the first batch of coronavirus vaccine. The rest of the shipment will arrive in succession,” said Dbeibah.

World Health Organization (WHO) Libya has expressed commitment to continue its support to the government of Libya and the National Center for Disease Control in the fight against Covid-19.

Thus far, a total of 166,156 people have contracted Covid-19 in Libya, including 2,799 deaths and 151,853 recoveries.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher