Gaza geared up to start its Covid-19 vaccination programme on Monday.
It had been due to begin on Sunday, but was delayed while clinics waited for 20,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, donated by the UAE, to arrive.
The Palestinian Authority health ministry in Ramallah sent 2,000 doses of the vaccine to Gaza on Wednesday through the Kerem Shalom crossing with Egypt.
The vaccines arrived on Sunday evening after a delay due to bad weather.
"We received today the shipment of vaccines ... and will start the vaccination tomorrow in Gaza," health official Dr Majdi Dahir told The National.
“We will start with medical teams, then with those with chronic illness and the elderly.”
Gaza’s health ministry said on Saturday that since the start of the pandemic, 54,270 cases were recorded there, 543 of whom died. At least 51,776 recovered in the enclave, which is controlled by Hamas.
Deputy health minister Dr Yousef Abu Alrish said that about 40 per cent of Gaza’s residents may have been infected with the coronavirus.
Palestinian authorities have eased pandemic restrictions lately and reopened schools and marketplaces.
Dr Ashraf Kalaja, 33, who works in the emergency department at Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city, said he would definitely take the vaccine if offered it.
“Since I deal directly with coronavirus patients and could be infected by the virus, I will take the vaccine, for sure,” he said.
“I encourage everyone above 45 years or has chronic disease or a weak immune system to take the vaccine. Also, I have encouraged my family to take it.”
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Palestinian artist Wissam Farhat holds his Christmas tree decorated with protective masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Gaza City. AFP -
A Palestinian man exits a mosque near the Saint Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza city which is closed to the public this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. AFP -
Palestinian boys look from their family home near the Saint Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza city which is closed to the public this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. AFP -
A street stays deserted during a complete closure amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Gaza City. EPA -
A Plaestinian policeman stands guard in an empty street during a complete closure amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Gaza City. EPA -
Closed shops aee reflected on water during a complete closure amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Gaza City. EPA -
A picture shows the empty beach during a weekend lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic in Gaza City. AP -
A Palestinian woman walks near the main market in Gaza City, closed for the weekend due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. AFP -
A man crosses an empty road during a weekend lockdown due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Gaza City. AFP -
A Palestinian man rests outside a closed shop during a lockdown amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Gaza City. REUTERS
Amani Nassrallah, who works for Gaza’s ministry of labour, registered herself and her family on My Health app launched by the health ministry. She is awaiting her turn.
“The vaccine is our only way to be protected from the virus,” she said.
But some people remain sceptical about the process.
"I will not take the vaccine because its side effects are not clear until now," Randa Faisal, a mother of five, told The National.
