Public urged to take new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine: Bahrain

PHOTO

Citizens and residents are being urged to take the newly-developed Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine to combat Covid-19 and its mutants, following concerns over a global surge in infections as winter flu cases also stretch health services.

The Health Ministry yesterday said those aged 12 and above can opt for the new booster, available at all primary healthcare centres across the country.

It stressed that there was no need for registration and urged young and old alike and particularly those in the vulnerable categories to take the immunity-boosting vaccines.

The authority had earlier asserted that the bivalent vaccine not only targeted the original virus strain, but also the highly-contagious Omicron variant to provide ‘broad protection against Covid-19 and its mutations’.

Members of the public can take the regular booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines nine months after their last jab, while those at risk can opt for the booster six months after the previous injection. These include people suffering from weak immunity, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory diseases, cancerous tumours and obesity.

A list of primary healthcare centres providing the new Pfizer bivalent booster shot is available on the ministry’s website, https://healthalert.gov.bh.

Health professionals have also rallied to urge the elderly and those in the vulnerable categories to take the booster doses to enhance their immunity.

“Bahrain is stepping up preventive measures by following up on developments of Covid-19 and its mutants globally, and providing the best and safest vaccinations,” Public Health practitioner Dr Mohammed Al Awadhi said in a statement.

He called on people experiencing Covid-19 symptoms to visit a hospital to conduct tests and take the necessary measures.

Mr Al Awadhi highlighted Bahrain’s progress in combating the coronavirus, thanks to its effective health policies and awareness of Bahraini society.

Family Medicine Consultant Dr Hala Al Saffar outlined the effectiveness of the bivalent (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine, which has been approved by National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA).

The bivalent Pfizer shot is targeted at those who have not completed the vaccination, as well as high-risk groups such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory diseases and weak immunity.

Head of Nursing in the First Health District Maha Matar and nursing supervisor Eman Al Muallam at Hamad Kanoo Health Centre also joined the call, stressing Bahrain’s pioneering efforts to immunise its citizens and residents.

They stressed the importance of the bivalent vaccine, also referred to as ‘updated boosters’, for use as a single jab in individuals aged 12 and older.

“Nurses have been trained to provide the vaccination in order to achieve immunity from infection and avert complications,” they said.

The GDN earlier reported that clinics and hospitals were reporting a rush of influenza cases over the last few weeks, with a majority of them being school children.

An average of 50 to 60 patients were visiting hospitals with flu symptoms every day, a number of doctors told the GDN, attributing the rise in influenza cases to the relaxation of Covid-19 measures, and complacency.

They called on people to mask up and urged those with flu symptoms to isolate for two to three days and wash hands regularly and thoroughly.