Celebrating 100th anniversary of CPC | Chinese vaccine helps Iraq to fight against COVID-19

The airplane loaded with China-donated COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Baghdad on March 2. [Photo/Xinhua]

In March 2021, Iraq was hit by a second outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country urgently needed COVID-19 vaccine, but it was hard to get. 

China's vaccine arrived in Iraq's capital Baghdad on March 2 and a few hours later, the Ministry of Health of Iraq launched a national vaccination project. Iraq's medical staff had priority for vaccination. 

"Just in one hour, we vaccinated more than 40 medical staff with the Chinese vaccine. It was a crucial time when vaccines are in urgent need and the Chinese vaccine will provide protection for medical staff," said a medical worker. 

"All the people in the hospital are in high risk of infection. The Chinese vaccine saved me and my family members," said a nurse who had just been vaccinated. 

"China is the first country to donate anti-pandemic supplies and send expert teams to Iraq. Thanks to the friendly Chinese people for providing vaccine to Iraq," Hassan al-Tamimi, minister of health of the country, said at the vaccine handover ceremony.