KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said yesterday that the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is "safe to use" and was approved by several international bodies. Speaking to the press at the vaccination center at the Mishref international fairgrounds, the prime minister affirmed that the vaccination campaign will continue for several months in the country.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled added that the vaccine has been administrated to around 2.1 million people worldwide as a measure to curb the spread of the virus. The premier thanked specialized committees at the Cabinet and the health ministry for their tremendous efforts in the last six months covering all aspects of the campaign. He urged the population to continue social distancing measures, wearing masks and washing hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Prior to his vaccination, the prime minister was briefed about the campaign's measures to safeguard the health of medical staff and citizens during the process. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh and Minister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah.

Sheikh Dr Basel said no new coronavirus strains have been found in Kuwait until now. He said that the ministry of health is waiting for more information from international organizations on the new strain of coronavirus that appeared in the UK, Australia, Denmark and South Africa, as reported by the media.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Basel hailed the efforts of all workers in the vaccination campaign, noting that HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled are following in the footsteps of HH the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in wisely dealing with the coronavirus crisis.

Kuwait has signed contracts with several companies for the vaccine, said the minister, adding that they will keep an eye on any new vaccines that will be produced in the coming months. He called on both citizens and expats to take the vaccine in order to achieve major immunity against the virus. Sheikh Basel also noted that the priority is for elderly people aged 65 years and above, as well as frontline workers.

Chairman of Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Dr Hilal Al-Sayer said the society's volunteers are working side-by-side with the campaign's staff. He added KRCS is also providing masks, gloves and wheelchairs for people coming for the vaccination.

The health ministry's official spokesman Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said the ministry understands some people's fear or doubts towards the vaccination, adding that the ministry is ready to answer their questions regarding the vaccination's safety. Kuwait has only approved the Pfizer vaccine currently, which was certified by many international organizations. - KUNA