Muscat: The Supreme Committee on Covid-19 on Tuesday exhorted all people aged 18 years and above to go for a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccines available at primary healthcare establishments as Muscat witnessed huge turnout of citizens and residents for the third jab.
The Supreme Committee reviewed Ministry of Health’s report of 15 new cases of Omicron variant in the Sultanate of Oman. The new cases are currently under epidemiological investigation. The Supreme Committee urged the citizens and people to wear face masks indoors, maintain physical distance, avoid crowded areas and keep their hands clean.
Meanwhile, senior health experts and MoH officials, in separate statements, have warned that a rapid rise in infections may be expected in the coming days and vaccines are still the only effective tool to fight Covid-19. MoH said the third dose of the vaccine will help those who suffer from weak immunity due to some diseases or taking medications.
The Pfizer vaccine is the approved vaccine for the third dose in the Sultanate of Oman.
“Though the risk of getting the severe illness is low, it is important to take the third dose to contain the widespread of the new variants,” said Dr Zaid al Hinai, a consultant on infectious diseases at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.
Dr Ahmed bin Salem al Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean region, said in an interview that some countries did not adhere to the precautionary measures, which led to the spread of the mutant.
“As we are approaching the New Year, WHO recommends adhering to the procedures to avoid any additional burden on health systems. Priority should be given a vaccination to those who did not receive a single dose,” he said.
“The effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines is reduced due to the omicron variant, and there are studies that show that the third/ booster or supplement dose raises antibodies and immunity to more than 75 per cent, ” said Dr Feryal bint Ali Al Lawati, Senior Consultant at the Communicable Disease Department at Royal Hospital said in an interview with Oman TV.
