A shipment of 850,560 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived in Cairo on Tuesday. The vaccine delivery was provided by Germany via the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) initiative, in close cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Frank Hartmann, Ambassador of Germany to Egypt, said, "Vaccinations are key, not only to protect ourselves and people around us against infection, but also to prevent the risk of further mutations of the virus. I am proud that, with the much-appreciated help of UNICEF and WHO, we can offer this additional support to our Egyptian partners. No country alone can overcome this challenge. We can only tackle it together in a spirit of solidarity. Germany will continue to provide further support to Egypt through additional vaccine deliveries in the near future." Naeema Al Gasseer, WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Egypt, commented, "As WHO and co-leaders of COVAX, we appreciate the generous timely contribution of the German government and the German people to people of Egypt especially at a time that less than 10% of people living in Egypt have been vaccinated. The donation of vaccines is part of global solidarity to protect 40 % of the population by the end of this year to save lives and decrease the burdens on the healthcare system. WHO strongly recommends that countries prioritize vaccinating the front liners, especially the healthcare workers, together with elderly people and those living with comorbid conditions. United we can overcome this pandemic and reach the goal of health for all by all." "The donation by countries helps to prepare for the expected surge in cases and fourth wave in countries including Egypt and we will continue to support the acceleration of vaccination and equitable access to the vaccines," she added. Moreover, Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative in Egypt, said, "We thank the Government and people of Germany for sharing with the Egyptian people these life-saving vaccine doses sent through the COVAX Facility. Vaccines will help us contain the COVID-19 pandemic, but only if everyone has access to them. Getting vaccinated matters, it saves lives and prevents repeated school closures." With the delivery of vaccines donated by the Government of Germany, Egypt has received nearly 6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines via the COVAX Facility. The COVAX Facility is co-led by WHO, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations (CEPI), GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF as a key implementing partner. Germany co-founded the ACT‐A distribution platform with its vaccine pillar COVAX and is its second-largest donor, providing €2.2bn. In addition to this commitment, Germany is keen to tackle supply shortages in global vaccine production by donating additional charges of vaccines to countries in need. Germany will thus provide up to 100 million doses by the end of the year to support countries in transition and developing countries and help ensure improved access to vaccines throughout the world.
