Algeria to distribute COVID-19 vaccine in 1 month

ALGIERS

Algeria is expected to start distributing a coronavirus vaccine to its citizens who wish to take it for free in a month, an Algerian official said on Friday.

"These days we are studying all vaccines scientifically, and if approved, we will start the vaccination operations a month from now in batches," Kamel Senhadji, the director of the State Health Security Agency, told the official Algerian Radio.

The official pointed out that in the next few days they will reveal the vaccine that Algeria will acquire.

Senhadji addressed the Algerian citizens, saying: "Be sure, we will not get the vaccine until the World Health Organization approves its effectiveness and quality."

He said the vaccine will be free for all Algerians and it will not be compulsory.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Abdel Rahman Ben Bouzid told Algerian Radio that his country had begun negotiations with several international labs which announced production of vaccines for the coronavirus.

As of Thursday, Algeria recorded 85,927 coronavirus cases, including 2,480 deaths and 55,538 recoveries.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara.