“We have three weeks before we reach the peak of the fourth wave … I am hoping we don’t record high numbers,” Hossam Hosny, the head of the Scientific Committee to Combat the Coronavirus at the Ministry of Health said.

He stressed the Egyptian Ministry of Health’s readiness to handle the fourth wave effectively.

Egypt has been witnessing a steady increase in daily infections and deaths since early August due to the new wave, with 667 new cases and 39 fatalities recorded on Sunday.

The Egyptian government, in parallel, is intensifying its efforts to vaccinate citizens against COVID-19 to achieve its target of 40 million immunised Egyptians by the end of 2021.

Egypt stared rolling out its inoculation campaign earlier this year, with over 13 million people vaccinated so far.

Hosny urged all Egyptians to stick to all precautionary measures during the coming period.

The studies have shown that the immunity provided by vaccines is temporary and lasts only from 3 months to one year depending on each individual, he added.

He warned those who have previously recovered from COVID-19 infections against depending on the natural protection given by the virus.

The immunity granted by the virus once it leaves an individual’s system is not a long-term protection, as it lasts for no more than three months, with some cases even losing the anti-bodies within only a month, the official noted.

He added that a decision regarding vaccinating children as well as offering a third booster shot to citizens who were inoculated at least 6-8 months ago will be taken within the week.

Egypt is currently considering lowering the 18-year age limit for COVID-19 vaccination, as the country seeks to reach higher inoculation rates in a short period of time to achieve herd immunity.

Health Minister Hala Zayed has also said earlier this month that giving booster shots of coronavirus vaccines is under consideration.

Egypt has recorded a total of 300,945 infections, including 17,149 deaths and 254,060 recoveries.