Jordan to secure 3 million doses of COVID vaccines — health minister

AMMAN — The Kingdom is witnessing a drop in the number of COVID deaths and infections, Health Minister Nathir Obeidat said on Monday.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Prime Ministry, the health minister said that the Kingdom will secure two million doses provided by COVAX Coalition and one million doses provided by Pfizer. 

He also noted that that there are preliminary agreements with other distributors to deliver additional quantities to cover 20-25 per cent of the population.

Commenting on the recent announcement of a coronavirus variant in the UK, Obeidat said that COVID-19 belongs to the RNA viruses, which are known for their mutations, adding that the new virus strain is not regarded as novel, as the coronavirus has witnessed a number of changes in its genetic material since September.

The recent mutation, unlike the previous ones, is characterised by an increased viral spread, as proven by epidemiological and statistical studies, Obeidat highlighted, noting that the intensity of symptoms and efficiency of vaccines are still under examination in light of the spread of the COVID mutant.

Regarding the construction of field hospitals, the health minister said: “We were honoured to receive His Majesty King Abdullah yesterday to inaugurate the Amman field hospital.”

He noted that both remaining field hospitals in Maan and Irbid are in the final stages of construction.

The construction of a fourth field hospital will begin in Aqaba soon, he said.