Riyadh, April 10, 2021, SPA -- The Ministry of Health has announced the expansion of administering the first dose to those who are yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and rescheduling of all appointments of the second dose to give ample time for a large segment of the society to take the first dose. According to the Ministry, all existing appointments for the second dose have been postponed as of Sunday, April 11, 2021, and the resumption of the second dose to be announced later. The Ministry noted that the rescheduling decision was taken due to the shortage and stuttering of international supplies of vaccines due to challenges that the manufacturers are facing in fulfilling the contracted supply quantities and to ensure that the largest number of the population is covered with the first dose of the vaccine, especially the high-risk groups, as this procedure would have a direct impact on reducing the severe cases and protecting the public health. The Ministry’s decision also aims to boost the effectiveness of the second dose based on the researches that the vaccine manufacturers are undertaking to include the mutated types of the virus in their vaccines. --SPA 20:50 LOCAL TIME 17:50 GMT 0031 www.spa.gov.sa/w1539603