30 January 2021, 2:38 PM | Reuters | @SABCNews
Image: SABC NewsAs of Friday, Algeria has recorded 106 887 confirmed coronavirus cases and 2 884 deaths.
Algeria launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Saturday, rolling out the programme at a medical centre in Blida a day after receiving the first shipment of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine will be given first to healthcare workers, the elderly and people with chronic diseases, and will be gradually expanded to include remaining citizens, according to state media.
“It’s a happy day,” said 75-year-old Ben Othman, receiving the vaccine. “We’ve been suffering for a year in Blida.”
Aissa El Bay, one of the doctors administering the vaccine, said that some were hesitant at first, but that the turnout was good.