Iraq signs deal with Pfizer to secure over a million COVID-19 vaccine doses

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi government announced on Monday that it had signed a deal with American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to secure 1.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is set to arrive in the country “early next year,” according to a health official.

During an interview with Iraq’s state media, the health ministry spokesperson, Saif Badr, announced that “Iraq has officially signed a contract with Pfizer to secure 1.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

The ordered amount is expected to be distributed to over 750,000 individuals who are prioritized by the government such as health care workers, soldiers, and members of the vulnerable population.

The Kurdistan Region previously announced that it would get its share from any vaccine deal that Iraq enters with pharmaceutical companies, according to its health ministry spokesperson.

Iraqi President Barham Salih announced in the past that any potential vaccine would be distributed to the population free of charge.

Iraq is among those Middle Eastern nations that have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic that has so far infected over 585,000 Iraqis with over 12,000 succumbing to death, according to official figures.

Previously, the Iraqi health ministry announced that doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in March 2021, according to Iraqi News Agency.

The autonomous Kurdistan Region, on the other hand, has over 101,000 cases and over 3,000 deaths since the pandemic hit the region in early March.  

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany