Free vaccination begins for Expats target group

Oman started giving vaccines to expatriates with the first phase in Masirah since Friday and several hundreds of expatriates, predominantly from south Asian countries, accepted the first dose of jabs. There are nearly 6,000 expatriate workforce and family members living in Masirah Island.

In the Governorate of Al Dahirah, the vaccination campaign for foreign residents of the governorate will start on Sunday, August 15. This will cover employees of barber shops, women workers in the beauty salons, domestic workers and foreign workers in various farms of the governorate.

In the Al Batinah region, the vaccination campaign for expat labour force will begin on Monday and includes barbers and others working in men’s grooming centers, all women working in beauty salons and other centres meant for women as well as employees of restaurants, coffee shops and other joints who are included in the first such category.

“We will begin vaccinating the new group of recipients from Sunday in Al Dhahirah and Monday in Batinah region. The employees of restaurants, coffee shops, and other joints, workers at the barber shops and beauty salons are included in the new category,” Dr Lamia al Balushi, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Directorate General of Health Services in Muscat Governorate told the Observer.

The initiative for select expat category which will be held from 8 am on Monday at the Sohar Sport Complex is intended only for those falling into these target groups of residents. Other groups for the first dose of Covid-19 vaccination will be added in the coming days to get their jabs, according to her.

“Other target groups, such as people falling into the labour categories and other sectors which have close interaction with the customers or employers will be scheduled in the coming days,” she added.

All in the aforesaid categories are advised to approach the centers with their valid resident cards or make an appointment for vaccine through the MoH link.

This article originally appeared on: https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1105313/oman/health/vaccination-campaign-new-expat-target-group-from-monday