The side effects of the Pfizer vaccine must be monitored after it arrives in the Kingdom, said the former director general of the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) Hayel Obeidat Tuesday.

As for the registeration of medicines and vaccines in Jordan, he explained that all products must be approved by the JFDA after passing a set of required tests and trials. As for vaccinations, he said clinical trials are a requirement and vaccines must be officially approved by the country of origin.

Those who wish to import any vaccine must submit all clinical studies, side effects and other reports to the JFDA, after which the Pharmacological Studies Committee will look into it, Obeidat said.

He added that decisions are based on official certificates and documents from the country of origin, but additional tests and trials must be conducted to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

"The vaccination portfolio in Jordan must be evaluated impartially without any official intervention", said Obeidat