Morocco Secures 27 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses from China and AstraZeneca

For an initial vaccination, only 5 million Moroccans will be vaccinated. Morocco will receive 10 million doses, or two doses per person, at an interval of 21 days, reports the daily Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, adding that with the agreement concluded with the AstraZeneca laboratory, Morocco will also receive 17 million doses, with the possibility of purchasing 3 million more, if needed. And, the newspaper adds, the government is negotiating with the Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Casina Pio laboratories to reach the sufficient quantity for the entire kingdom.

Priority for this inaugural wave will be given to health and security personnel, people over 65, those with chronic diseases, pregnant women, as well as civil servants and public transport personnel, the same source specifies.

It should be noted that vaccination against the coronavirus is optional. However, the Ministry of Health will launch an awareness campaign to show its importance in preventing the disease.

By November 15, Morocco will receive the results of the clinical trials conducted on 600 Moroccan volunteers, and will be able to start manufacturing the vaccine after receiving the necessary authorizations and technologies from the Chinese scientists, before its export to Africa from the "Mohammed VI Tanger Tech City", the newspaper stressed.