Guinea President Conde receives Russian COVID jab

Guinean President Alpha Conde received his first dose of the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 on Friday at the presidential palace in Conakry. Conde was shown being given the jab on national TV, as part of the pilot program under way in the country.

Guinea began vaccinating with the Russian Sputnik V vaccine on an experimental basis in December, and started with government officials. Minister of Defence Mohamed Diane was the first to receive the vaccine, followed by other Cabinet ministers.

Guinea has a population of 13 million and is one of the first African nations to vaccinate its officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among the first world leaders to congratulate Conde as he won a controversial third term in office after a violently contested election in October.