MUSCAT: Ministry of Health on Tuesday confirmed its commitment to provide COVID-19 vaccine free of charge to citizens and expat residents in all target groups.

In a statement issued, MOH said it has adopted a strategy for COVID-19 vaccination and the target groups are determined based on their age and risk factors due to chronic diseases.

“Frontline workers in healthcare and education have been also given priority for vaccination,” MOH said.

According to MOH, the national vaccination campaign is done in two phases. “In the first phase 30% of the target population will be vaccinated by the end of August 2021. While the second phase aims to vaccinate 40% of the targeted population, and with that 70% of targeted groups will be covered by the end of the year,” MOH explained.

Meanwhile, regarding the payment by private sector companies to provide vaccination for their employees, MOH said “within the framework of their social responsibility, such as those in the oil, gas, telecommunications, aviation, banking, and other sectors, have expressed their desire to support national efforts to combat the pandemic by contributing to the vaccination of employees as an extension of their contributions to support the Corona Fund.”

“They have been already extending support for medicines, personal protective equipment, and testing devices,” MOH noted.

Prices of the vaccine, according to MOH was “determined on the basis of cost, shipping, storage, and logistical fees according to the type of vaccine and the requirements of the manufacturing companies.”