DAR ES SALAAM, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar authorities on Thursday officially launched the COVID-19 vaccination campaign with a cabinet minister receiving the first jab.

Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, Zanzibar's Minister of Health, Social Welfare, Elderly, Gender and Children, received the vaccine at the Lumumba Health Center.

"Vaccination in Zanzibar is now official. I am happy to be vaccinated against COVID-19," said Mazrui, adding that China's Sinovac vaccines are safe.

The minister said Sinovac vaccines have been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and they have been administered globally.

The Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines were approved earlier this year by the WHO for emergency use.

Speaking shortly after he was vaccinated, Mazrui also urged frontline workers to be vaccinated.

He said the vaccination of frontline workers should be followed by the vaccination of people aged 60 years and older, restating that vaccination was voluntary.

He said Zanzibar has secured a batch of Sinovac vaccines donated from China, adding that another batch of Sinovac vaccines granted by the Chinese government will also arrive soon. Enditem

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