DAMMAM — Prince Saud Bin Naif, the emir of the Eastern Province, launched the coronavirus vaccination campaign in the Eastern Province. Leading from the front, Prince Saud received the first dose of the vaccine at the vaccination center that was set up at the Dhahran International Exhibition Center. He was followed by Deputy Emir Prince Ahmed Bin Fahd Bin Salman. Speaking to reporters on the occasion, Prince Saud said that the vaccine is safe and there are no side effects. The emir lauded the smooth procedures at the vaccination center, stressing that it is like any normal vaccine, and a person who receives the shot hardly feels any effects of the vaccination. Prince Saudi said: "The results that we heard locally and internationally are all reassuring, and hence we advise everyone, especially the groups that need urgent vaccination, to come forward to receive the jab. The matter of vaccination is optional and will be available to all and is now available in our dear region too," he said while stressing the importance of adhering to the necessary precautions. "Even after taking the vaccine jab, we must continue maintaining physical distance and wearing masks," he added. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Director General of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdul Karim said that the Dhahran center can receive more than 7,000 people within 24 hours, and if the need arises, another center will be opened, explaining that the vaccination process follows distinct health procedures. On his part, Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, head of the medical team supervising coronavirus vaccination in the region, said that the vaccination center in Dhahran accommodates between 7,000 and 10,000 persons per day. There are no long waiting times as one person takes only seven minutes, after which one who receives the vaccine dose sits in the observation room for 15 minutes, he said while pointing out that the vaccine requires some special arrangements, therefore, the vaccination is required to be carried out in unified centers.
