Saudi Arabia Allows 3rd COVID-19 Jab for High-Risk Groups

Saudi Arabia witnesses a downward curve at the weekly COVID-19 map (SPA)
Saudi Arabia witnesses a downward curve at the weekly COVID-19 map (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Allows 3rd COVID-19 Jab for High-Risk Groups

Saudi Arabia witnesses a downward curve at the weekly COVID-19 map (SPA)
Saudi Arabia witnesses a downward curve at the weekly COVID-19 map (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Health announced that high-risk groups might need a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially those with immune disorders, after 15.6 million people received two doses of the jab, while 38 million people received one dose.

Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Abdelali said in a press conference that the third dose would be given to those who have organ transplants and those who have chronic kidney disease.

The coronavirus vaccine has not been approved for children under 12 yet, and the possibility of giving them the vaccine is still under study, he added.

The spokesman confirmed the importance of completing vaccinations to prevent exposure to mutations, increase immunity, and prevent long-term COVID-19 problems, as it is considered more severe in its complications.

He explained that the coronavirus is still spreading worldwide, and cases are still increasing, calling on everyone to complete taking the two doses to raise protection and adhere to precautionary measures to limit the spread of the virus.

"It is important to continue taking all vaccine doses, even for those who have recovered from the virus, while continuing to adhere to the precautionary measures," he said.

Abdelali stated that the Kingdom witnessed a downward curve at the weekly infection map, and the epidemiological indices of coronavirus cases are moving towards a positive direction.

The Ministry reported 120 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 545,243, including 2,602 active cases, 723 of which are critical.

The Kingdom reported seven deaths, raising the COVID-19 death toll to 8,579, while the number of recoveries rose by 219 to 534,062, the Ministry said.

Meanwhile, UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced one death due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of fatalities to 2,046.

MoHAP announced 971 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 723,263.

According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), the statement noted that an additional 1,387 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 712,521.

The Ministry conducted 302,164 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

In addition, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced 103 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 410,270, and the total number of deaths reached 2423.

Spokesman Abdullah al-Sanad explained that 59 cases are in intensive care, while 187 cases recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 405,770 cases.



GASTAT Announces 1,673,230 Pilgrims for Hajj 1446 AH

GASTAT announces total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH - SPA
GASTAT announces total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH - SPA
TT
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GASTAT Announces 1,673,230 Pilgrims for Hajj 1446 AH

GASTAT announces total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH - SPA
GASTAT announces total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH - SPA

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced on Thursday that a total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH.

Of these, 1,506,576 arrived from abroad, while 166,654 are from within the Kingdom, including both citizens and residents.

According to a GASTAT press release, male pilgrims, both internal and external, totaled 877,841, while female pilgrims numbered 795,389. GASTAT also revealed that 1,435,017 pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom via airports, 66,465 through land border crossings, and 5,094 via seaports.

GASTAT's methodology for these statistics relies primarily on administrative records from the Ministry of Interior. This approach, which has been consistently adopted over the past five years, aims to provide high-accuracy and reliable register-based data for Hajj statistics, utilizing a standardized model with several key components.

As the Kingdom's official statistical authority, GASTAT is the exclusive provider of official statistics in Saudi Arabia and is entrusted with overseeing all national statistical activities, including technical supervision, conducting field surveys and research, data analysis, and managing the documentation, preservation, and tabulation of statistical information across all sectors of life in the Kingdom.

On this occasion, GASTAT President Dr. Fahad Aldossari extended his sincere appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their unwavering support and comprehensive care provided to the pilgrims.

He also prayed to Allah Almighty to accept the pilgrims' Hajj and to grant continued success to all government entities in delivering outstanding services.