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 The comments from the World Bank came as frustration grew among some
residents and doctors that vaccinations were moving slowly and could
be riddled with violations.
Lebanon received its first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine -
about 28,000 doses - this month with aid from the World Bank, which
said it would monitor to ensure the shots go to those most in need.
In its first operation funding the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines,
the World Bank reallocated $34 million to help Lebanon start
vaccinations.
The bank has warned against favoritism in a country where decades of
state waste and corruption triggered a dire financial meltdown.
After local media reported that some MPs would get their COVID-19
shots on Tuesday, the World Bank's regional director, Saroj Kumar
Jha, said that would breach the national plan agreed for fair
vaccination.
"Upon confirmation of violation, World Bank may suspend financing
for vaccines and support for COVID19 response across Lebanon!!" he
wrote on Twitter. "I appeal to all, I mean all, regardless of your
position, to please register and wait for your turn."
The health ministry has sought to dispel fears that politicians
would jump the queue. It did not immediately respond to a request
for comment.
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 An MP said current and retired
lawmakers over 75-years-old, as well as some
administrative staff, were getting vaccinated in
the parliament hall. "What's the big deal?
They're over 75 and registered," he said.
TV networks were not present.
Charaf Abou Charaf, head of Lebanon's doctors syndicate, had urged
more transparency earlier on Tuesday and said there were "many
violations" without giving a figure.
He said people who did not have priority or were not registered had
received vaccines while some medical workers and elderly Lebanese
still waited.
Hospitals, hammered by Lebanon's financial crisis and last year's
port explosion, have fought some of the region's highest infection
rates since January. The surge took Lebanon's death toll over 4,300.
(Reporting by Ellen Francis and Laila Bassam; Additional reporting
by Maha El Dahan)
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