Tuesday, Saudi Arabia announced a three-stage COVID-19 vaccination campaign, opening the doors for citizens and residents to register for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine after it authorized its use last week.

The first phase targets citizens and residents who are over 65 years old, as well those in professions with direct exposure to the virus.

The second phase will be for people over 50 years old.

The third phase will be for all citizens and residents who wish to take the vaccine, according to the government news agency.

The agency did specify the duration or date of each phase.

The Ministry of Health announced that registration for the vaccine will begin Tuesday, and that the vaccine is free.

Last Thursday, Saudi Arabia authorized the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, becoming the second country in the Gulf after Bahrain to give the vaccine a green light.

The United States, which began a massive vaccination campaign Monday, has authorized the use of the drug, as have Britain, Canada and Jordan.

Saudi Arabia has so far recorded more than 360,000 cases of coronavirus, including more than 6,000 deaths, the highest rate in the Gulf region.

The virus has killed more than 1.6 million people worldwide and infected more than 68 million since its appearance in China in December last year.