Final approach Egypt has announced that clinical trials of a locally developed COVID-19 vaccine are set to begin. Named COVI VAX, the vaccine includes proteins from the original virus to provoke an immune response, as reported by Associated Press. Egypt has depended on vaccine shipments from other nations, and approximately 14% of its population has been vaccinated. ‘It’s a very important strategic [imperative] that there is an Egyptian vaccine that we can rely on in the coming period,’ according to the country’s acting Health Minister, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar. With new infections on the rise, the government is encouraging more people to get vaccinated, and all government employees are now expected to show proof of vaccination to enter their workplaces. 23 November 2021 Image: Gallo/Getty Images