Algeria’s health agency has said the north African country will begin the distribution of a vaccine against coronavirus (COVID-19) in “a month’s time”.
Prof Kamel Sanhadji, president of the National Agency for Health Security, in a radio broadcast, said the coronavirus vaccine will be rolled out free for all Algerians.
He added that the usage of the vaccine will not be made compulsory.
“These days we are studying all vaccines scientifically, and if approved, we will start the vaccination operations a month from now in batches,” Senhadji said.
It is not known which vaccine Algeria has opted for, but Prof Sanhadji said his country would not acquire a vaccine unless the World Health Organization approves its effectiveness and quality.
Prof Sanhadji pointed out that Algeria has “the means and capacity to acquire all vaccines including those that require lower temperature storage”.
The official pointed out that in the next few days they will reveal the vaccine that Algeria will acquire.
He added that international flights from and to the country “would not resume until the vaccination had started”.
A health passport will then be required for all passengers to prove they have taken the vaccine.
On Wednesday, Health Minister Abdel Rahman Ben Bouzid told Algerian Radio that his country had begun negotiations with several international labs which announced the production of vaccines for the coronavirus.
As of Thursday, Algeria recorded 85,927 coronavirus cases, including 2,480 deaths and 55,538 recoveries.