The Covid-19 situation in the Sultanate of Oman is comfortable and reassuring, but there are chances of a new wave following reports of new variants emerging in especially in European countries.
Speaking at the 27th press conference of the Supreme Committee, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saedi, said that the vaccine does not protect against infection or its transmission to others, but it reduces the risk of spread and the seriousness of the disease.
The minister said that there is a difference between the third and the booster dose as received the third dose of the anti-Covid 19 vaccine.
The minister said that the booster dose is given to the elderly over 65 years, health care workers over 50 years old, and those suffering from chronic diseases such as kidney, breathing, heart and diabetes, genetic diseases, and obesity
The third dose is not a booster, but it is necessary, and it is for people with diseases that cause immunodeficiencies, such as cancer patients, those who have undergone bone marrow transplants, and those receiving immunosuppressive drugs.
On seasonal influenza, the minister said, “With the emergence of COVID-19, we no longer registered seasonal influenza cases due to adherence to preventive measures, but this year, with the state of reassurance and the lack of infections, a greater number of seasonal influenza cases were registered, with a death recorded as a result of seasonal influenza.”
The Covid vaccine will be like the one given for seasonal influenza. It’s time for the booster dose.
Another point made in the press conference is that the risk of death because of the Coronavirus for a non-vaccinated person is 34 times that of a vaccinated person. Some of the effects of this disease are long-term ones.
The decisions of the Supreme Committee to prevent the suspension of events are still in force. “We hope that we do not have to make a lockdown and the matter is in hand, so everyone must assume it is own responsibility. There is a call to get closer in the rows while praying in mosques, although the pandemic has not yet ended. Imams of mosques should insist on the call for keeping physical distance and abiding by preventive measures.”
A decision will be issued soon by the concerned authorities stating the penalties that will be imposed on anyone who violates the entry of government and commercial institutions and has not taken the vaccination.
The country has 8,492,160 doses for this year, of which 68,366,669 have been received and is 58,73,919 have been administered. The percentage of those vaccinated with two doses in Oman reached 83.
The percentage of those vaccinated with the first dose from the target groups in the national immunization campaign is 96%.
The minister urged ambassadors of different countries to communicate with their citizens residing in the Sultanate, and direct them to receive the vaccine, as it is available and free.
The decision to ban group events is still valid, said the minister and urged walis and the departments concerned to take necessary action (in case of breach) as defined by the Supreme Committee. The minister pointed out that the Supreme Committee is following up the situation locally, regionally and internationally due to concerns over a probable new wave of infections which is seen in some countries around the world.
Dr. Ahmed ruled out any likelihood, for the time being, of shutting down airports or suspending flights from any country. He said that the Sultanate of Oman has requested to exempt GCC citizens from the PCR test during the last meeting held in Bahrain. So far, no consensus has been reached, but the Sultanate of Oman strives to find a way out to endorse this request due to the GCC countries’ vicinity.
A working team has been formed for each governorate to follow up vaccination in the education sector, said the minister, adding that no exemption from the second dose will be granted to those aged above 12 years. In reply to a query, the minister said that any person who got two doses of any vaccine will be given Pfizer vaccine for the third dose. If that person wishes to take the third dose from AstraZeneca, he or she has to take technical consultancy before that.
Dr. Ahmed said that Covid-19 examinations in the Sultanate of Oman’s health establishments are of two types — a quick test whose results are given after 4 hours, and another one whose results come after 12 to 16 hours. The Ministry of Health is following up the situation for reduction in vaccine prices.
Meanwhile, Dr Amal bint Said al Maaniyah, Director of Infection Surveillance and Control at the Ministry of Health, spoke about challenges in the battle to stem the virus, curb its spread and prevent the ability of variants to mutate.
Dr Amal said that the third dose of Covid-19 vaccination will be administered to specific segments who meet certain conditions for such a dose. Specialists, among them pediatricians and public health physicians, indicate that wearing face masks by children has no side-effects. They also affirm that the efficacy of the vaccine for children in the age group of 5 to 12 years is the same as in adults. According to (laboratory) experiments of Pfizer company, no serious complications have been registered.
Brig Mohammed bin Nassir al Kindi, Director- General of Operations, Royal Oman Police (ROP), has affirmed that the ROP will continue implementing the Supreme Committee’s decision and that its personnel is deployed at all locations to ensure abidance by the announced precautionary measures. Still, some individuals do not abide by the decisions.
