London, Feb. 2, 2021 (AltAfrica)-Algeria said it had opened discussion with Russia on the possibility of producing Moscow’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.

Talks to manufacture the vaccine in Algeria took place during a meeting between Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad and Russian ambassador Igor Beliaev, the prime minister’s office said.

“The two parties agreed to initiate contacts between the competent services of the two countries with the aim of establishing a bilateral cooperation…,” it said in a statement

Algeria started its vaccination campaign on Saturday, a day after receiving 50,000 doses of Sputnik V. A shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine is due to arrive on Monday.

RELATED: EGYPT IN TALKS TO PRODUCE CHINESE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE LOCALLY

Algeria has so far reported 107,339 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 2,891 deaths.–

Algeria follows a similar step with its North African counterpart, Egypt that has been in discussion with Sinovac Biotech to manufacture the Chinese company’s coronavirus vaccine

After Sinova’s auditing, financial negotiations are underway over the expenses of obtaining the production licence, health minister Hala Zayed told Egypt’s DMC satellite channel December 2020

A production line has been established in the headquarters of the Egyptian Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA), Zayed said, adding that the World Health Organisation has presented some recommendations for Egypt to meet.

China vows more COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries

China will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines to other countries, especially the developing ones, in a timely manner within its capacity and contribute to the building of a community of health for all, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.

Xinhua reports that spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing after announcing that China donated COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan on Monday morning, the first shipment of China’s vaccine aid to other countries.

Reiterating China’s commitment to making its COVID-19 vaccines a global public good once developed and put into use, Wang said China will contribute to achieving the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. “We act on our words.”

Besides Pakistan, China is also providing vaccine aid to 13 developing countries, including Brunei, Nepal, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Palestine, Belarus, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, with 38 more developing countries in need slated to receive China’s vaccine aid at a later stage.

“We are also participating actively in the WHO-led COVAX initiative to provide vaccines to developing countries,” the spokesperson added.

China has supported its companies in conducting joint research and production of vaccines with foreign partners and already exported Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines to countries including the UAE, Morocco, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil, and Chile, Wang noted.

Besides, China also supported relevant companies in exporting vaccines to countries that were in urgent need, recognized Chinese vaccines, and authorized the emergency use of Chinese vaccines in their countries, Wang said.

He added that China expects the international community to make joint efforts in promoting the equitable distribution and use of vaccines and ensure the availability and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.