Egypt's el-Sisi receives COVID-19 vaccines

FILE PHOTO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. /VCG

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi received his first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday as health authorities continue administering inoculations across the country.

The presidency confirmed el-Sisi's vaccination but did not reveal which jab he took.

The North African country rolled out its vaccination program in late January after receiving its first batch of China's Sinopharm vaccine.

The country has since also approved the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as well as the Sputnik V vaccine.

Egypt's 221,570 COVID-19 infections are the fifth-highest recorded in Africa, while its 12,998 virus-related deaths are the second highest on the continent.

The country I already exploring ways of increasing its vaccination drive to reach even more people sooner.

On Wednesday, the Egyptian Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) and Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac signed an agreement to manufacture Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines in the North African country.