Saudi Arabia receives first COVID-19 vaccine shipment, responds promptly to pandemic: Health Minister

Saudi Arabia responded promptly to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, forming a committee to address the crisis, Minister of Health Tawfig Al-Rabiah said on the sidelines of Budget 2021 announcement.

“We had the challenge of addressing the requirements of the healthcare sector, however, we took prompt and strict health measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic,” Al-Rabiah added.

Al-Rabiah said intensive care beds were increased by 60% in three months, adding that the Kingdom received its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine today, Dec. 16.

Saudi Arabia announced the state budget for 2021, which estimates revenue at SAR 849 billion, with forecast expenditure of SAR 990 billion and a deficit of SAR 141 billion, Argaam reported.