More than 500,000 Tunisians have received vaccinations in a single day as part of a national campaign to control the outbreak of COVID-19, after the country received more than six million vaccine doses from Western and Arab countries.
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The slow pace of vaccinations and the handling of the pandemic caused a wave of protests against the government of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who was dismissed by President Kais Saied two weeks ago among a series of emergency measures.
Five months after the start of vaccinations in the North African country, 1.3 million Tunisians have received two doses.
In an effort to speed up the vaccination schedule, Tunisia opened vaccinations for those over 40, with thousands flocking to inoculation centres. The Health Ministry said 551,000 people received a vaccination on Sunday.
Intensive care units and emergency departments are full in hospitals across Tunisia. Doctors have complained of exhaustion and a shortage of oxygen supplies.
Tunisia seeks to vaccinate 50 per cent of its 11.6 million people by mid-October.
The country has reported more than 20,000 deaths and more than 610,000 coronavirus infections since the pandemic began.
Australian Associated Press
