The Sultanate participated in the 5th virtual Extraordinary meeting of GCC health ministers on Saturday.
Dr. Ahmed Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health, headed the Sultanate delegation at the meeting. which addressed the latest updates of the coronavirus in the GCC countries and actions taken by each country to combat the pandemic. The meeting further reviewed the current situation in the Sultanate and the updated epidemiological indicators of COVID19-, in addition to discussing updates of COVID19- vaccines particularly those adopted in Oman, and a summary of Oman's participation in the Council's technical meetings.
Moreover, the guidance document for vaccines, prepared by the technical committees of the Council countries, was highlighted with regard to the vaccination priority groups, vaccine efficiency, and associated side effects. The approved preventive and health procedures on citizens' entry at the GCC entry points were also addressed.
The meeting also presented outcomes of the GCC health Undersecretaries committee, the experience of the vaccines used in Bahrain, in addition to reviewing the decisions issued at their previous meeting.
At the end of the meeting, GCC Health Ministers commended the significant efforts of health workers as well their tangible contribution in mitigating the spread of the virus. They further valued the commitment of GCC citizens and residents with the instructions and precautionary procedures taken to reduce the pandemic's effects, urging them to continue their commitment.
The meeting affirms the significance of immunization as well the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines to protect the community and overcome the pandemic.
Moreover, the meeting recommended strengthening the continued exchange of information among the member states regarding pandemic developments, viral mutation, precautionary measures, vaccine information, and effectiveness with different ages and the monitored side effects.
The meeting emphasized the importance of adhering to the precautionary measures (distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, and isolating infected people). It further recommended coordination with the concerned authorities in each country to approve the applications in GCC countries to facilitate movement between GCC countries and work to link these applications by designing an electronic integration zone for sharing information on immunization. Furthermore, the meeting agreed on allocating a one million Saudi Rial budget from the Council account for each country designated for conducting a gene sequence study for COVID19- samples. The study subjects shall be voluntary, putting an emphasis on data privacy for each country.
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