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.



Jordan, Syria to Form Joint Committee to Secure their Border

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attend a press conference as they meet in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Alaa Al Sukhni
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attend a press conference as they meet in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Alaa Al Sukhni
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Jordan, Syria to Form Joint Committee to Secure their Border

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attend a press conference as they meet in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Alaa Al Sukhni
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attend a press conference as they meet in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Alaa Al Sukhni

Jordan and Syria agreed to form a joint security committee to secure their border and combat the smuggling of arms and drugs as well as cooperating to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Tuesday.

Safadi met in Amman on Tuesday with visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, who said during a joint press conference that the latest US move to ease sanctions should be a step towards full lifting of sanctions.

Shibani said existing sanctions were a main hurdle to the recovery of Syria.

The United States on Monday issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months after the end of president Bashar al-Assad's rule to try to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance.