Saudi Arabia hits 41.5m vaccine doses milestone

Saudi Arabia administered nearly 41.5 million vaccine doses through 587 centres, the health ministry said. The figures showed 23.2 million people, or more than 70 per cent of the population got the first dose, while 18.2 or more than 55 per cent of the population got the second dose. The kingdom continues going ahead vigorously with its plan to inoculate at least 70 per cent of its population with the aim of achieving herd immunity in early October, according to expert estimates.

The average number of doses given daily reached 365,000. Saudi Arabia made vaccination mandatory to enter government and private entities from August 1.