Arab News

The US ambassador to Saudi Arabia has told Americans in the Kingdom that the COVID-19 vaccine is “safe and effective.”

John Abizaid was speaking as he received his second shot at a vaccination center.

He said the Saudi organization and competence that he had witnessed “were very impressive.”

Having experienced the #COVID19 epidemic here in #SaudiArabia for the whole time, we can only say we're glad that we rode it out here,' said John Abizaid, ambassador of @USAinKSA. pic.twitter.com/W6pa7XTYsX

— CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) January 18, 2021

Saudi Arabia started its inoculation campaign on Dec. 17 and was the first Arab country to use the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

The Kingdom has pledged to provide the vaccine free to both nationals and expats alike.

Last week, the president of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies & Research Center (KAPSARC) also praised Saudi Arabia’s inoculation campaign.

American Adam Sieminski, who is in his 70s, described the process as “extremely smooth.”

It’s a smooth, 5-star experience for @Adam_Sieminski, President of King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center. @KAPSARC #vaccine pic.twitter.com/eQ6aOUIGt2

— CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) January 14, 2021