Saturday 18 / May / 2024
Muscat: Getting vaccinated with a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine can provide between 70 and 75 percent protection against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, a doctor at Oman’s Royal Hospital has said.
Dr Faryal Al Lawatia, a senior consultant at the hospital, who also serves as the head of the hospital’s Infectious Diseases Section at the Department of Internal Medicine, added that people who have been vaccinated twice only have about 22.2 per cent protection against Omicron.
“It is recommended that the third dose be taken six months after the second dose, although it can be from a different vaccine to the other two,” she explained. “Data indicates that the third vaccine dose increases the neutralising antibodies 25-fold against the Omicron variant, compared to concentrations observed after two doses.”
“Preliminary laboratory analysis shows that three doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine neutralises the Omicron variant,” she added. “Two doses, on the other hand, show significantly lower neutralisation levels.”
Vulnerable
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, explained that those who have been previously infected with COVID are also vulnerable to infection from the mutated Omicron strain.
“Some studies have shown that the vaccines currently available offer less protection against this mutation, as compared to previous ones,” he explained, in an interview with Oman TV, before noting his concern over a laxity in people regarding precautions required to keep the virus at bay. So far, however, more than 96 per cent of Omanis have been jabbed with one dose, and about 92 per cent have been administered two.
“However, in one governorate, we have seen that only 52 per cent of students have been vaccinated,” revealed the minister. “I would like to remind everyone that unvaccinated students will not be allowed to enter schools. Let us remember that the virus is still very much present…it is saddening to see people gathering and celebrating occasions without wearing masks.”
“There is no excuse for anyone in Oman above the age of 12 to not get vaccinated,” he added. “Measures will be taken against those who refused vaccination…our country has, after all, not recorded any serious side effects as a result of getting vaccinated.”
“There are, however, in some countries, people who are against vaccinations who behave in a typical manner associated with them,” explained Al Saidi, as he added that was aware of people in the health sector who opposed vaccinations, with some 12 per cent of the population having not received their jabs so far.
Reiterating the need for precautions to be adhered to seriously, the Supreme Committee also issued a statement along the same lines.
“Due to the leniency shown by some members of the community in adhering to the decisions and measures installed to halt the further spread of the pandemic, while holding social events, the Supreme Committee has decided to ban marriage ceremonies and condolence meetings organized in mosques, meeting halls, or any other public setting,” said the statement.
Measures people are required to follow include getting fully vaccinated, wearing a face mask, observing social distancing, and operating events only at the maximum permissible capacity. Public organisations concerned with upholding these measures will also take legal action if needed against those who violated these regulations.
