The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has begun administering the COVID-19 vaccine for all citizens and residents in the country today, December 17.

Photo handouts from the Saudi Press Agency showed photos of the first male and female citizen to be inoculated with the vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine is provided free of charge for all citizens and residents, which recorded around 150,000 individuals who have registered to get the jab, as per the state-run news agency.

Saudi’s Health Ministry has spread their vaccination drive across three stages:

The first stage will target high-risk groups including: Senior citizens (65 years and above), immuno-compromised people / people who have immune deficiency, obese individuals with Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 40, people who have suffered from a stroke, individuals who have more than two chronic diseases including asthma, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

The following individuals will be vaccinated for the second stage:

– Health practitioners
– People over 50
– People who have one chronic disease (asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic heart disease including coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and active cancer)
– People whose BMI ranges from 30-40

Saudi’s third phase for the COVID-19 vaccine drive will cover the rest of their citizens and residents.