A member of the Virology Committee at the Ministry of Higher Education Adel Khattab shot down rumors that side effects from the coronavirus vaccine are dangerous, assuring their safety and encouraging people follow instructions from specialists and the Ministry of Health.
In a Monday phone call on the DMC satellite channel, Khattab said that the vaccine is important as hitting 70 percent vaccination ratio in eligible groups will bring herd immunity.
Side effects of the vaccine are no more serious than fatigue or a slight rise in temperatures, similar to those from the influenza vaccine, he assured, with antibodies produced after the second dose.
Regarding potential infections even in those vaccinated, Khattab explained that cases of infection after vaccine are very rare.
The Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed announced on March 5 that 1,141 citizens received the coronavirus vaccine on the first day of Egypt’s public vaccination campaign.
Ministry spokesperson Khaled Megahed explained that 40 centers have been allocated nationwide to give citizens vaccines, including three centers in Cairo (Al-Nuzha Medical Center, Al-Katameya Medical Center, and Al-Zuhur Medical Center in Asmarat District) and four centers in Giza (Vacsera Center, Meet Okba Health Center, Sharq Al-Youm Medical Center in October, and the Center of Al-Motamayez in Al-Akhasas).
All who have received the Sinopharm vaccine will receive the second dose 21 days (three weeks) after receiving the first dose, while those who receive the AstraZeneca vaccine will receive their second dose 12 weeks after receiving the first.
