RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has approved two more coronavirus vaccines — AstraZeneca and Moderna — after the success of Pfizer vaccine, Al-Arabiya TV reported. Saudi Arabia started registration for receiving Pfizer vaccine from Dec. 15 and that was after approval accorded to Pfizer vaccine by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, said that no side effects were detected among those received the vaccine shots. He urged everyone to quickly register for the vaccine. The ministry emphasized the safety and efficacy of the vaccine due to foolproof and effective passing of the vaccine testing phases and the occurrence of a strong immune response and continuous antibodies. The spokesman said that those who are qualified to receive vaccine in the Kingdom are firstly citizens and expatriates who have valid national IDs and residency permits (iqama) respectively, and this will be after registering through Sehhaty application. Nearly 300,000 Saudis and expatriates have so far received coronavirus vaccination in the Kingdom. There are four vaccination centers in the major cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah. Saudi Arabia started the nationwide vaccination campaign on Dec. 17, with opening the first vaccination center in Riyadh. Vaccination centers will be opened in all the regions in the coming weeks.
