Muscat: Dr Ahmed Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health and member of the Supreme Committee Tasked with Tackling Developments Resulting from Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, has underscored the importance of taking the Covid-19 third booster dose to increase protection against the Omicron strain. The minister advised all to adhere to precautionary measures and avoid lenience.
Dr Ahmed lauded the continuous support of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the health sector.
The minister made the statement during the 28th press conference of the Supreme Committee held at the Education Ministry on Monday.
“The number of infections by Covid-19 witnessed a spate despite the stability of the number of new cases during the past weeks.”
Dr Ahmed pointed out that it is the government’s duty to protect members of the society and maintain the public health, as the health sector underwent a rough time in the previous year.
The Minister added that the decisions of the Supreme Committee are based on the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 locally, regionally and internationally, not on mere speculations. "There is no plan, at the time being, to make the booster dose mandatory and it is very early to discuss the possibility of administering an annual dose against Covid-19," said Dr Ahmed.
He explained that the latest decisions taken by the Supreme Committee apply with effect till January 31, 2022 if the situation does not worsen, as all decisions are prone to be changed based on the epidemiological situation.
The Health Minister advised people who suffer from pulmonary diseases to stay home and observe physical isolation to protect themselves and the society.
"Vaccination centres are open in all governorates and wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman and vaccination is free-of-charge for citizens and residents. There is no reason or excuse to refuse taking the Covid-19 vaccine. As of yesterday (Sunday) 95,277 have received the booster dose in the Sultanate of Oman," Dr. Ahmed added.
Meanwhile, Dr Saif Salem al Abri, Director General of Disease Surveillance and Control Department at the Ministry of Health, said: "Vaccines are aimed at preventing morbidity and death, and we expect an increase in the number of inpatients and cases in intensive care units".
"As far as Omicron is concerned, the Sultanate of Oman has recorded 16 confirmed cases, and there are 90 suspected cases. These cases are currently under genetic sequencing study," Dr Saif stated.
He explained that the Omicron cases in the Sultanate of Oman were registered among vaccinated people, justifying their stable health condition.
"The booster and third dose are the same, but the only difference between them is the scientific term, as the third dose is a basic dose for people who have immunodeficiency and must wait one to 3 months after the second dose, while the booster dose is taken by everyone above 18 years to stimulate immune system", Dr Saif explained.
On his turn, Badr Saif al Rawahi, Director of the Department of Contagious Diseases, said: "studies show that two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine boost immunity by 22% against the Omicron strain, and the booster dose increases this percentage.
He added that 4% of the target group in the Sultanate of Oman has received the third and booster dose so far. "There are some reports being circulated through various media channels linking incidents of fainting or heart attacks with the Covid-19 vaccines, yet there are no proven studies back these claims," he elaborated.
As many as 230,000 citizens and residents have not received any vaccination dose so far, and that we have not yet reached community immunity, said Dr Badr, who stressed the importance of increasing the number of vaccinated people in the Sultanate of Oman. --ONA
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