Muscat: Oman has vaccinated close to two million people, which represents 45 per cent of the targeted groups.
The latest vaccination drive, hailed the biggest by many in the medical and general community, targets those above 18 years of age, pregnant women and students appearing for school final examinations.
This phase also saw private clinics being allowed to vaccinate, with most of expatriates having taken their prescribed doses from them.
Reports indicate that 1,926,307 people across the country have been vaccinated.
The capital city recorded the highest number of vaccinated people with 618,264 who have been administered the jab in Muscat Governorate, representing 55 per cent of the total vaccinated number.
The North Al Batinah region of which Sohar is the main city comes second with 49 per cent of the total vaccinated number followed by South Al Batinah region consisting of towns such as Rustaq and Barka reporting 45 per cent of the total coverage.
Experts have also indicated that the total lockdown for four days did bring down the number of COVID-19 cases with fewer number of hospital admissions. A news report quoting the delta variant of the coronavirus as the fastest, fittest and most formidable version the world has seen, has sent a pall of fear among many.
Dr Thomas Mangalapilly, of Al Maha Clinic in Muscat, said that the delta variant is capable of infecting fully vaccinated people than the previous variants. “Vaccination is a protection to minimise the risk and whatever precautions people have been advised to take must be taken, including avoiding crowded places. Venturing outside without mask is a big no now, and until further notice.”
