Algerian authorities are expecting about 500,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in January, Jamal Furar, spokesman for the coronavirus tracing committee, said.
"We will start vaccinating the population as soon as we receive the first batch of vaccine," Furar told Algerian radio station Chaine 2.
About eight thousand vaccination sites have now been prepared in the country, and their number may increase, the official said.
Furar stressed that the drugs chosen by Algeria are "safe and effective." He said authorities plan to vaccinate up to 60-70 percent of the population to achieve collective immunity. Children will not be vaccinated.
Authorities are also continuing negotiations with vaccine manufacturers in China, Furar noted.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mikhail Japaridze / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti