MUSCAT: Oman today received 86,400 doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca through COVAX.

COVAX is a global initiative co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi (the Vaccines Alliance) and the World Health Organization, which works with governments and manufacturers to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines around the world.

To date, 1 billion doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine have been released for supply to more than 170 countries and accounts for approximately two thirds of COVAX supply to date.

H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Saidi, Minister of Health, said: “In line with the national strategy for the purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, we are pleased to receive the new batch of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca via the COVAX initiative. The delivery of this important shipment is part of a series of arrivals to continue the vaccination campaign. We are delighted to see positive outcomes as we continue to make COVID-19 vaccines available to the public.”

Sameh Elfangary, Country President for GCC and Pakistan, AstraZeneca, said: “I was delighted to see the arrival of further doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to Muscat. This is wonderful news for the people of Oman as vaccines remain the safest, most cost-effective protection against COVID-19 and are a powerful tool to address the pandemic and save lives around the world. On behalf of AstraZeneca, I would like to thank our partners at COVAX for making this possible. This milestone further demonstrates the value of governments, industry and others working together to fight against the pandemic.” AstraZeneca is committed to supplying the vaccine broadly and equitably around the world at no profit during the pandemic period. The supply of the vaccine is estimated to have helped save tens of thousands of lives and to have significantly reduced hospitalisations.