Muscat: The Sultanate’s Ministry of Health successfully began administering the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine in Oman today [December 27].

Oman began its COVID-19 vaccination programme today by administering the first dose to His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, the Minister of Health.

Patients will receive two doses of the vaccine 21 days apart – though only health workers and high-risk members of the community will be inoculated first.

A total of 15,600 doses of the vaccine – which is developed by Pfizer and BioNTech – reached Oman late on Thursday [December 24]. A second consignment is expected to arrive early in January 2021 with a total of 28,000 doses.

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— وزارة الصحة – سلطنة عُمان (@OmaniMOH) December 27, 2020

The vaccine was produced by the US firm Pfizer in cooperation with the German firm BioNTech to motivate the immune system to produce antibodies and fight the disease safely.

The Ministry’s strategy is to cover 60 per cent of the population in phases, the first of which covers 20 per cent of the target segments due to limited stock.

It is worth noting that no legally binding measure makes taking the vaccine compulsory.

The basic motive in the campaign will be an individual’s willingness to take the vaccine, coupled with public awareness and a sense of responsibility and national duty.

Also, an electronic mechanism has been initiated via the Health Ministry’s Tarassud+, an integrated online hi-tech platform enhanced with local and international know-how, whose mission is to analyze data and follow up the vaccine recipients through sites of the Ministry and other sites.

An electronic feedback line has also been dedicated to help people report any side-effects of the vaccine.

The Ministry has prepared an intensive media-plan to raise public awareness and keep the population informed, while at the same time refuting any rumours and misrepresentations of the vaccine.

The people who can receive the vaccine 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.