Oman hopes to vaccinate at least 20 per cent of its population against COVID-19 before the end of 2020. 

Frontline workers, including health and security personnel, will be the first ones to be vaccinated. 

The country has been in touch with vaccine manufacturers to ensure the first batch is here before the end of 2020, H E Dr Mohammed bin Saif al Hosni, Undersecretary for Health Affairs in the Ministry of Health, said during his visit to the COVID-19 field hospital being set up at the old airport. 

“We knocked on all doors to get the vaccine. The sultanate joined the Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI) to obtain the vaccine, which will provide ten per cent of our population’s needs. The sultanate will obtain ten per cent of its vaccine requirements from other private companies.

“We hope to cover at least 20 per cent of the population with vaccine before the end of 2020,” H E Hosni said. 

He added that there is no approved vaccine so far, but noted that current test results are promising.