RIYADH – The Ministry of Health has emphasized the safety of using different COVID-19 vaccines in two-dose inoculations. Addressing the daily press briefing on Sunday on the latest coronavirus related developments, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali, spokesman of the ministry, said that global experiments confirmed the possibility of switching between the two doses, and that they had already taken place in European countries such as France and Denmark. This was after findings of studies that showed the safety of switching doses and their application. The spokesman emphasized that there is no truth in reports regarding an interruption in the supply of AstraZeneca vaccine in the Kingdom. He said that the announcement about the date of administering the second dose of the vaccine would be made in accordance with the progress in community coverage and the priority categories. Referring to the emergence of mutated strains of coronavirus, Dr. Al-Abdel Ali reassured that genetic mutations, which lead to mutation, are natural and expected in all viruses. He noted that majority of these mutations are ineffective. "Completing the approved vaccine doses protects against all mutations," he said while adding that the vaccination campaign will continue to be accelerated until community immunity is reached. The spokesman revealed that more than 16.5 million doses of vaccine have already been given. He urged all the people to come forward to register to take the vaccine so as to safely overcome the crisis, stressing that the national plan for administering the coronavirus vaccine is going on in accordance with the plan. Regarding the emergence of coronavirus infection cases among children, Dr. Al-Abdel Ali stressed that children who show symptoms of coronavirus shall be put to medical tests at Tetamman clinics. Those children with symptoms such as high temperature, symptoms related to infections in the respiratory system, or problems that appear in the digestive system in the form of diarrhea, vomiting or stomach pain, can approach the clinics at any time without appointments and their family have to remain in medical isolation until the result of the test is issued. According to the spokesman, the period of medical isolation for children who are infected with coronavirus and the precautionary measures are similar and identical to what is done for adults. He also stressed the need to ensure protection of those who are attending infected children through strictly following preventive and precautionary measures to avoid infection.
