Libya’s Medical Supply Organization (MSO) received the third batch of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, consisting of 100,000 doses.
The shipment arrived on Tuesday afternoon at Mitiga International Airport and will be distributed to the public as the first dose of a two-dose system.
The spread of Covid-19 in Libya has slowed significantly in recent months, as the country recorded its first few days without a Covid-related death in May.
Director of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Badr Al-Deen Al-Najar, cautioned the public, stating that there is a “high possibility” that the mutated Indian strain of COVID-19, known as the Delta variant, will reach Libya.
Al-Najjar added on Monday that the Delta virus is still spreading wildly through Egypt and Tunisia and will soon reach Libya and that this new variant “is characterized by a very rapid spread,” warning of complications because it “may be stronger than other strains.”
He confirmed that, aside from those who received two doses of the vaccine, which will be officially distributed next week, there is no special protection against this new strain of the virus.
Al-Najjar also indicated that the operator machines that are designed to recognize the Delta strain will arrive in Libya within the next ten days.