King Salman of Saudi Arabia has received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine.
The vaccination was carried out by Ministry of Health officials and captured on video.
Saudi Health Minister Dr Tawfig bin Fawzan Al Rabiah extended his thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for providing support and inspiration to his citizens during the pandemic.
He called the King's decision to be vaccinated publicly an affirmation of the kingdom's policy to prioritise "protection, always, over medication."
King Salman follows his son Mohammed bin Salman in receiving the shot. The Saudi Crown Prince received his on Christmas Day.
Vaccination stations have been set up throughout the kingdom, and 50,000 people registered to receive the vaccine in the 24 hours after the minister urged Saudis and residents to sign up for it using the health ministry app.
Saudi Arabia has reported 363,582 confirmed infections and 6,282 deaths from Covid-19, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre.
