Media personnel in Oman on Thursday got a shot in the arm – literally. They were part of a COVID-19 vaccination campaign organised by the Ministry of Information, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MoH), where they got the first dose of the vaccine along with the ministry employees.

The Ministry of Information stated that it launched the campaign to protect its employees and media personnel working in various outlets in the sultanate.

The ministry added that media professionals are making great efforts in covering daily events as well as working to spread awareness on COVID-19 and vaccination.

Mohammed Obaid Ahmed al Mamari, head of staff welfare in the Ministry of Information, said, “Today we are administering over 1,000 Pfizer-BioNTech jabs to private media company staff along with the staff of the ministry. The second dose will be given after eight weeks.” 

H E Dr Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Harrasi, Minister of Information, was present at the venue and was seen interacting with MoH’s vaccination team.

Lamis bint Hamad al Kiyumi, head of the mobile team vaccinating state administrative staff against the COVID-19, said, “We began the campaign on June 7 to cover institutions of the state’s administrative apparatus, and nearly 9,000 have been vaccinated so far in eight institutions.

“The vaccination campaign at the Ministry of Information witnessed a great turnout from employees and media personnel.”

She added, “I urge all target groups to speed up taking the vaccine, not paying attention to rumours.”

Nurse Ghalia bint Ali al Balushi from Al Shadi Health Centre explained that the nursing staff in the mobile team evaluates the receivers before giving the vaccine and finds out if they have been in contact with infected persons or have an excessive sensitivity to certain drugs. 

“Then they are registered electronically in a surveillance programme, only after which they are given the vaccine,” she said.

“I urge people to hurry up to take the vaccine in order to reduce pressure on hospitals, especially ICUs.”

The Ministry of Information conducted the vaccination drive from 8am to 2pm at the ministry’s premises in Madinat al Alam.