Coming weeks will be crucial as the Sultanate's government seeks to expand the national vaccination campaign to students aged 12 and above.
The government aims to immunise 65 to 70 per cent of the target groups with a dose of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of August.
“There will be procedures against any person who refuses to receive the vaccination without a clear medical reason, which will be announced later," the government has warned.
As the country reported only 16,332 cases in the last one month between July 8 and August 5, all eyes are now on the Supreme Committee regarding easing of some restrictions.
Several private businesses have been urging authorities to allow the return of their expatriate workforce with valid visas as some projects have been affected due to manpower shortage.
The Ministry of Health aims to vaccinate nearly 32,000 students, including expatriates from international schools, in the target groups over the next two to three weeks. The government aims to vaccinate all students in the target groups before the start of the new year.
As per the directives from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health to vaccinate the students of (12 years and above until Class XII) schools in Oman, which commenced at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 3, the Indian schools have sent out the message to parents.
While parents were requested to fill the online form before August 6, the schools added that vaccination is not compulsory for students, but rather voluntary, according to the consent of the parent/guardian.
While the number of daily infections has been stabilising and offering some relief, 535 deaths since July 8, and 56 during the last week is still a matter of concern.
It may be noted that daily cases stayed under 300 for most of the last week, except for Tuesday when the 309 infections were recorded.
The recovery rate has improved to 94.9 per cent and 11,351 people of 3.81 per cent of the total infected in Oman are still sick.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Health Services in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate will start vaccinating school students from 12 to 17 years old, as part of the national campaign for immunisation against Covid-19.
The directorate has allocated 10 immunisation centers in the governorate, stressing the need for the targeted students to come for vaccination.
In this context, the General Directorate has completed the necessary preparations to receive the targeted group (24,385 students from 86 schools) in the governorate.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
