- Title: Palestinians approve Russian COVID-19 vaccine for use
- Date: 11th January 2021
- Summary: JERICHO, WEST BANK (FILE - DECEMBER 18, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF LABORATORY WORKERS AT CORONAVIRUS TEST LAB, PROCESSING SAMPLES VARIOUS OF WORKER PLACING SAMPLE IN PROCESSING MACHINE VARIOUS OF LABORATORY WORKERS WEARING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING SCREEN SHOWING TEMPERATURE OF -86.9C VARIOUS OF WORKERS INSIDE LAB BANNER READING IN ENGLISH 'EXTRACTION ROOM' LABORATORY WORKERS INSIDE LAB
- Embargoed: 25th January 2021 16:24
- Keywords: Palestinians Russian Sputnik V coronavirus covid-19 vaccine
- Location: JERICHO, RAMALLAH, BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- City: JERICHO, RAMALLAH, BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Health/Medicine,Middle East
- Reuters ID: LVA001DURGC3R
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The health ministry of the Palestinian Authority has approved the main Russian vaccine against COVID-19, known as Sputnik V, for use in Palestinian self-ruled territory, Russia's sovereign wealth fund said on Monday (January 11)
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian Health Minister Mai Alkaila confirmed that her ministry had granted "emergency approval" for the Russian vaccine to be administered in areas under limited Palestinian self-rule.
The first shipment of the Russian shot is expected to arrive next month, with all deliveries expected in the first quarter of this year, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad.
The RDIF did not disclose how many doses would be shipped to the Palestinian Authority - which governs in parts of the West Bank under interim peace deals with Israel - but said the supplies would be facilitated by manufacturing partners in India, China, South Korea and elsewhere.
It also did not reveal the financial arrangements of the export deal but has said previously that Sputnik V would be priced at less than $20 per dose. The price includes the first shot and the booster, which is injected 21 days later.
Asked if Israel would permit the Palestinians to import the vaccines, Deputy Israeli Health Minister Yoav Kisch told Army Radio: "Anything to do with Palestinian Authority public health is taken care of by them, (so) I think they have that freedom."
While Israel has become the world leader in vaccinations per capita, Palestinians in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip - where Hamas Islamists rule - have yet to obtain their first supplies.
(Production: Adel Abu Nehmeh/Mohammed Abu Ganeyeh/Roleen Tafakji) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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