Oman reserves 200,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine

Muscat: Oman has booked 200,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine to fight Covid—19, the country’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Supreme Committee press conference, Al Saidi also said the vaccines will be distributed to private sector once the government receives sufficient quantities.  

He said, "Some people still do not trust the AstraZeneca vaccine and insist on receiving the Pfizer vaccine. Everyone must be reassured that the Sultanate cannot take any step without first making sure of the safety and effectiveness of any vaccine. All the vaccines are effective even though manufactured by different manufacturing companies."

"There is a shortage of vaccines at the global level, and the Sultanate was one of the first countries out of 30 countries to receive the vaccine," he added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is planning to vaccinate 60 percent of the population soon, Dr. Saif Al Abri, Director General of Infectious Disease Control and Surveillance said.  

“Plan is to vaccinate 60 percent of the Sultanate’s population, and the main goal currently is to vaccinate 20 per cent for the target groups and frontline health workers,” he said.