Morocco Scrambles to Secure COVID Vaccine Supply Amid First-Dose Shortage

The vaccination campaign is experiencing a slowdown. For a few days now, it has no longer been possible for agents to give the first injection to many citizens who come to the vaccination centers in the kingdom. The reason is a shortage of the first doses. Only the second doses of the Covid-19 vaccines intended for people who have already received the first injection are available, reports TelQuel. Hence the postponement of the vaccination of citizens. Morocco is intensifying its negotiations with China with whom it had 1.5 million doses in order to resolve the problem.

Rumors suggest that Morocco would have followed the example of some European countries like France, Germany and Italy who have suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine because of "the appearance of side effects". "No decision has been made regarding the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The vaccination campaign will continue normally with the two approved vaccines," assures a source close to the file.

To date, Morocco has received 8.5 million doses of vaccines: 7 million doses of the British AstraZeneca vaccine and 1.5 million doses of the Chinese vaccine. More than 4 million people, or 11% of the population, have already received at least one dose of the two vaccines, while more than 1.7 million people have received the second injection.