Muscat: The Chinese vaccines received by the Sultanate of Oman will be administered to both citizens and residents in due course of time, according to sources in the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Oman received 100,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines on Monday provided by the People’s Republic of China. The vaccine consignment is part of a goodwill gesture of China to Oman as also friendly ties between the two countries.
This initiative came as a result of the visit of Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, during his visit in March 2021. The minister, who is also the State Councilor, had expressed that China was ready to provide these vaccines to vaccinate Omanis and residents in the Sultanate.
"China and Oman enjoy a long history of traditional friendship. The two sides have always supported each other and overcome difficulties together from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic," Li Lingbing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Sultanate of Oman told the Observer.
She mentioned Oman’s sympathy after the outbreak of the pandemic in China in early 2020. “The Chinese side continuously shared its experience in the pandemic prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The Chinese Embassy in Muscat has also established close contacts with different ministries like the Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, to provide medical supply support and assist them in purchasing medical equipment and supplies in China.”
There are about 10,000 Chinese citizens living in Oman. Most of them had finished the vaccination when they went back to China, according to the Embassy of China in Oman. Currently, the number of Chinese people who still in need of vaccination is less than 2,000.
"We will be administering the 100,000 doses of anti- Covid-19 vaccines received from the Chinese government to the public with priority being given to the Chinese nationals," a source at the MoH said.
These vaccines were given to Oman within the framework of bilateral relations and joint cooperation between the Sultanate and the friendly People's Republic of China.
Oman expressed its gratitude and appreciation for the support. It was stated later by the Omani side that it will give the local Chinese community the priority of vaccination, which is appreciated by the Chinese side.
China has successfully provided vaccine assistance to more than 80 countries and exported vaccines to more than 50 countries. The international community, including the WHO, have recognised the safety and effectiveness of Chinese vaccines.
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