Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman will begin administering the Pfizer Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine from Sunday, but for select individuals falling under the high-risk bracket from the public. 

Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Saeedi, the Sultanate’s Minister of Health and member of the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has said that, with effect from the coming Sunday [December 27], the Sultanate will begin to apply the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19.

He added that His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik is in close contact with the Supreme Committee and the technical team entrusted with updates on the pandemic.

Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Saeedi, Minister of Health

Dr. Ahmed pointed out that the Sultanate will receive a consignment of 15,600 doses of Pfizer on Thursday this week, while the second consignment of 28,000 doses is scheduled to arrive by early January 2021.

The Sultanate is among the first countries that joined the GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) and has booked 10 per cent of its required stock through the GAVI.

The minister reiterated that the Health Ministry prioritised target groups that are eligible to avail the doses during the first phase, noting that these groups include patients suffering from chronic diseases and medical staff.

The people in the target group will include:

– People over the age of 65

– People with diabetes

– People with kidney failure and those undergoing the dialysis procedures

– People with chronic lung diseases and complications

– Health workers in intensive care units

– Workers and health workers in COVID-19 ward units

The Minister reiterated the limited nature of administration of the vaccine, before adding that there is “very little” dispensing capacity.

The vaccine, as per Dr. Al Saeedi, is not compulsory and currently, there is no law that dictates otherwise. Groups that are currently excluded from the receiving inoculation include children under the age of 18 and those allergic to the vaccine.

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