Thursday 18 / April / 2024
Muscat: In response to rumours about adverse side-effects of the COVID-19 vaccines, the Ministry of Health has clarified that no serious complications have been recorded among those who received the jab so far.
"Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect against the infection, as is adhering to precautionary measures. A combination of these will help speed up the return to normal life," said Oman News Agency.
The ministry added that the vaccines being administered in the country have been chosen on scientific grounds, after they have been licensed by the relevant regulatory bodies in their countries of origin and by other international organisations.
Dr Ridha Al Lawati, an internist at the COVID-19 field hospital, told the agency that the rumours circulating on social media have no verifiable source. They are, however, leading people to shun the vaccine as well as the precautionary measures, leading to a rise in the number of cases, he said.
"The number of patients hospitalised has crossed 1,000, and the number in intensive care has crossed 300. On Thursday alone, more than 160 patients were admitted to healthcare institutions, the highest so far," added Al Lawati.
“These may have psychological and physical ramifications. It may also affect people who take precautions such that they deviate or become reluctant to take the vaccine," said Dr Zakaria Al Balushi, a consultant for inflammatory and infectious diseases at the Royal Hospital.
Shatha bint Ahmed Al Siyabi, a medical laboratory specialist at the Ministry of Health, was at the immunisation centre at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher during the national immunisation campaign.
“We witnessed many citizens and residents queuing up to receive vaccinations, which indicates a high level of awareness,” she said.
The most frequently asked questions among vaccine recipients were about the effectiveness of the immunisation as a final factor in not being infected with coronavirus. "This indicates awareness that there are chances of contracting the infection post inoculation, and that the vaccine does not replace the need to follow precautionary measures," she said.
Al Siyabi stressed on the importance of individuals in taking the initiative towards getting vaccinated, the necessity of investigating medical information from specialised sources, and reaching out to medical teams for advice and answers so that they are well informed.
