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While Israel has already become the world leader in vaccinations per capita, Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip have yet to secure their first supplies.
The Palestinian Authority has accused Israel of shirking a duty to ensure vaccines are available in occupied territory.
It also said on Sunday it expects to receive its first COVID-19 vaccine doses in March under a deal with drugmaker AstraZeneca.
While Israel has already become the world leader in vaccinations per capita, Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip have yet to secure their first supplies.
The health ministry of the Palestinian Authority (PA) 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.
UPDATE 4-Palestinians approve Russian COVID-19 vaccine for use in self-rule areas Reuters 1/11/2021
(Adds statement by Palestinian government on costs)
MOSCOW/RAMALLAH, West Bank, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The health ministry of the Palestinian Authority (PA) 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.
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.
Deliveries are expected to be completed in the first quarter of this year, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad.
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Palestinian Authority Accuses Israel Of discriminating Over COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out
Palestinian Authority on January 10 said that it expects the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines in March but accused Israel of shrinking duty to supply.
Palestinian Authority on January 10 said that it expects the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines in March under an agreement signed with the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca but accused Israel of shrinking a duty to ensure that the jabs are available in the occupied territory amid the pandemic. Even though Israel has reportedly already become the world leader in COVID-19 immunisations per capita, the Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip have reportedly not yet received the first jabs.