KUWAIT: Kuwait will start administering shots of a coronavirus vaccine to its population as soon as the jab is given the green light by regulatory agencies around the world, Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah said yesterday. Hoping the vaccine gets the regulatory go-ahead before the end of the year, the minister told the press that Kuwait's vaccination campaign would be a multi-phased approach likely to last for a year, starting with "priority groups" first.

Kuwait has clinched deals with drug manufacturers AstraZeneca and Pfizer for the delivery of their respective COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to some nine others to be chosen shortly, Sheikh Basel revealed. He cited the International Fairground in Mishref as the country's designated vaccine center, where an estimated 10,000 people could be given their COVID-19 shots in a single day. A digital certificate would be given to show who has been vaccinated for the coronavirus, the minister added, promising a "smooth and seamless" process. - KUNA