As many as 1,717 people were vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the first phase of the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Sunday and Monday, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The ministry also called on all those in the target groups to visit the identified health centres to get the vaccine without waiting for their appointment.

Statistics indicate that North Batinah recorded the highest number of people who were vaccinated (509 recipients), while Muscat recorded the vaccination of 302 people, Buraimi – 171 recipients, Dakhliyah – 84 recipients, Dhahirah – 98 recipients and Musandam – 81 recipients.

North Sharqiyah governorate recorded the vaccination of 89 people, South Batinah – 166 people, South Sharqiyah – 131 recipients, Dhofar – 66 recipients and Al Wusta – 20 recipients.

‘Citizens and residents targeted in the first stage of the COVID-19 vaccination programme can visit the health centres across the governorates without the need to adhere to the scheduled appointments for taking the vaccine depending upon the working hours in each institution,’ MoH stated.

Target groups in the community include the elderly who are 65 years of age and older with diabetes, those with kidney failure and who are on dialysis, those with chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary syndrome, asthma (with the severity of the disease varying between medium and high) as well as those with interstitial lung disease. 

The ministry said target groups of healthcare workers include ICU staff, staff working in COVID-19 wards as well as employees who have diabetes, obesity with BMI of more than or equal to 40, those on dialysis, those with chronic lung disease as detailed in the target groups in community.

According to the MoH, most potential COVID-19 vaccines will be in two doses. ‘The time between doses depends on the type of vaccine, ranging from 21-28 days. Please comply with the health institution’s instructions when taking the vaccine and follow up updates,’ MoH stated.