Ammon News - Jordan has made agreements with three major pharmaceutical companies to buy coronavirus vaccines, the health minister said.

The country is grappling with a spike in infections and economic problems worsened by the pandemic.

The Health minister said, once they are available, the government will buy vaccines from American companies Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson as well as from Britain’s AstraZeneca.

However, vaccination against the pandemic will not be compulsory in the country of 10 million people, he added.

“Contracting more than one [company] is important to guarantee that these vaccines will be available as soon as possible,” the minister said.

The first vaccinations are expected to arrive in Jordan in the first quarter of next year, with priority to inoculate medical staff and the elderly.

The minister stated that “Giving anyone a vaccine or treatment is not possible without their approval”.

No details were given on how much the government expects to pay for the vaccines, or whether it has already set aside the funds.