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 were 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#vaccinepic.twitter.com/eQ6aOUIGt2 — CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) January 14, 2021 The Kingdom vs. COVID-19 How Saudi Arabia acted swiftly and coordinated a global response to fight the coronavirus, preventing a far worse crisis at home and around the world Enter keywords