Minister of Health issues new decree on COVID-19 vaccines

Muscat: His Excellency Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health, issued Ministerial Decree No. 120/2020 to form a working group to provide a vaccine against COVID-19.

The decision stated that a working group would be formed to follow up global developments in the field of manufacturing and producing a coronavirus vaccine, and to set up mechanisms to obtain the appropriate vaccine in coordination and follow-up with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, the World Health Organization and specialized companies.

The decision included, "The team will be headed by the Undersecretary for Health Affairs, the membership of each of the General Director of Disease Control, the General Director of Medical Supplies, the General Director of Primary Health Care, the General Director of Pharmacy and Drug Control, and the Director of the Infectious Diseases Control Department at the General Directorate for Disease Control, and the team may seek assistance from experts and specialists in order to perform these duties.

The decision indicated that the team leader submits a report to the Minister of Health with recommendations that the team concludes regarding choosing the appropriate vaccine from among the vaccines produced globally.