Ethiopia is set to launch the second phase of its coronavirus vaccination drive with everyone above the age of 65 now eligible for the jab as of next Monday.Ethiopia took delivery of its first COVID-19 vaccines —  2.2 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from COVAX Union last month  and kicked off a vaccination campaign by inoculating its health  minister Dr. Lia Tadesse.

Early this week, the horn Africa nation  received 300,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses from China’s National  Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).

Dr, Lia in a briefing said  those Ethiopians who are 55+ years old and suffer from underlying health  problems will receive the vaccine.

This week, the horn African  nation reported more than 35 percent increase in coronavirus infections  and deaths rose by 20 percent, health ministry data shows.

Ethiopia has recorded 211,314 infections and 2,915 deaths since its first case was announced in March last year.

The  second phase vaccination program opened amid a sharp increase in  COVID-19 cases. During the first phase, Ethiopia vaccinated health  workers and members of the army.