Muscat: Oman’s Health Minister, Dr. Ahmed Al Saeedi, revealed during the 23rd press conference of the Supreme Committee that once adequate quantities of vaccine is made availableit will be distributed to the private sector. He said it is premature now to take such a measure.
Oman currently is on an inoculation drive with Pfizer as well as Astra Zeneca vaccines, with over 32 per cent of the population having received the shots as of February 24.
The first phase started with the coverage of frontline medical staff and among general population, those with immuno-compromised health above 65 years of age. As per the announcement by Dr. Saeedi, this week will see the start of vaccination for those who are 60 and above.
Muscat: Oman’s Ministry of Health has started the second dose of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine from today. The second jab of the inoculation that was delayed slightly has begun for the target group comprising of those in the medical field as well as those with specific health impairments among the general public group.
Accordingly, and as per directives from the Ministry of Health, the target group among the general community was identified as those over 65 years of age and with diabetes as well as those with chronic lung disease or suffering from kidney failure.
Among the health care workers, the target group comprises of those working in the ICU, staff working in COVID-19 wards, and those medical staff who have diabetes, chronic lung disease, those requiring dialysis as well as those whose BMI is more than or equal to 40.
Muscat: Oman kicked off the vaccination campaign for a new target group today. The new target group in the general community of all those above 65 years of age, will be given the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.
The vaccine works via a viral vector method whereby the modified adenovirus is used as a safe vector of genes that produce the spinal protein of the COVID – 19 virus. This in turn stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and immune cells that can be used by the body later to identify and fight the COVID – 19 virus when exposed to it.
Majid Al Balushi, a resident of Seeb said he had taken his parents who were above 65 years of age, for vaccination earlier today, at the nearest centre. “I had to do a fair bit of convincing and they understood the benefits of taking the shots than left without one.”
Muscat: The COVID-19 vaccination campaign that kicked off in Oman’s capital yesterday is continuing with vigor across all the governorates in the Sultanate.
Oman’s Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al Saeedi said that the vaccine will be free for both residents and citizens in the target group.
The Minister also confirmed that the vaccine is distributed to all governorates of the Sultanate, according to the priorities of the eligible groups set by the technical team.
January will see the arrival of another 28,000 doses, Dr. Ahmed informed. With every person taking the vaccine required to have two jabs for effective completion of the vaccination, the first phase is expected to provide inoculation for 7,500 people, including citizens and residents of the Sultanate.