Oman Health Ministry Underscores Importance of Covid-19 Vaccine Boosters

Indian nationals residing in Oman, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, queue with their luggage at the check-in counter at a terminal in Muscat International Airport ahead of their repatriation flight from the Omani capital, on May 12, 2020. (AFP)
Indian nationals residing in Oman, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, queue with their luggage at the check-in counter at a terminal in Muscat International Airport ahead of their repatriation flight from the Omani capital, on May 12, 2020. (AFP)
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Oman Health Ministry Underscores Importance of Covid-19 Vaccine Boosters

Indian nationals residing in Oman, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, queue with their luggage at the check-in counter at a terminal in Muscat International Airport ahead of their repatriation flight from the Omani capital, on May 12, 2020. (AFP)
Indian nationals residing in Oman, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, queue with their luggage at the check-in counter at a terminal in Muscat International Airport ahead of their repatriation flight from the Omani capital, on May 12, 2020. (AFP)

Oman’s Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi has underscored the significance of receiving Covid-19 vaccine booster shots and keeping guards against the virus.

He described the epidemiological situation in the Sultanate as “reassuring”, but urged citizens and residents to abide by precautionary measures against the virus.

The virus is developing new variants in European countries, Dr. Ahmed warned, noting that the third dose will be given to frontline workers and patients suffering from chronic diseases.

The minister said vaccine boosters are necessary for those suffering from chronic diseases and those who received treatments that weakened their immunity, including cancer and HIV patients.

Saidi said that the Health Ministry’s Technical Team set standards for administering the third dose of COVID-19 vaccination after six months from the second dose due to the decline in antibodies.

The decision to ban group events is still valid, said the minister, who urged concerned officials to take the necessary action in this regard as defined by the Supreme Committee.

The minister pointed out that the Supreme Committee is following up the situation locally, regionally, and internationally due to concerns of a probable new wave of infection.



Gaza Rescuers Say 72 Killed by Israeli Fire

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Gaza Rescuers Say 72 Killed by Israeli Fire

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli fire killed at least 72 people in the Palestinian territory on Thursday, including 21 who had gathered to receive aid in central and southern Gaza.

Updating an earlier figure, civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP the death toll had risen to 72, "due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip since dawn today -- 21 of them were waiting for aid.”

The Israeli army told AFP that troops had fired "warning shots" at "suspects" approaching them in the Netzarim area where the civil defense agency said 15 people were killed waiting for aid, but that it was "not aware of any injured individuals.”