Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Assistant Minister of Health and the Ministry spokesman Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali said that as of Sunday a total of 541,411 people have been vaccinated against coronavirus throughout the Kingdom.

Addressing the daily press briefing on Sunday, he said that the vaccine is available in large quantities in all regions of the Kingdom.

“The weekly infection map and epidemiological indices point out that the coronavirus cases continue to rise in some regions.

“So far we have not reached the phase of complete reassurance, as the situation in some locations is worrisome and the caution is at the highest level,” he said.

He also stressed that constant follow-up is being made to ensure strict compliance of the precautionary measures with a hope that it would bear fruit as soon as possible.

Dr. Al-Abdel Ali said that the curve of confirmed infections reflects this rise after an increase in infections over the period of one and a half months since the first week of January until to date.

“We are now in a very sensitive and important phase that we are following with much greater caution, vigilance and commitment. We hope at this stage that we will witness the stability of the curve and then the gradual decrease of infections will happen,” he said.

The spokesman stressed the importance of reaching individual immunity and then the herd immunity.

He emphasized the need to continue adhering to the precautionary measures by everyone who received the vaccine, whether with the first dose or second dose, or the first recommended dose after recovery.

In response to queries about the difference between Taakud centers and Tetamman clinics, the spokesman said that Tetamman clinics are for those who suffer from coronavirus symptoms while Taakud centers are for those who have contact or want to ensure that they are not infected with the virus.

Tetamman (rest assured) is designed to protection and healthcare for citizens and residents referred to domestic isolation or quarantine to ensure their safety and enhance their recovery procedures.

Taakud centers were set up as the third phase of the expanded testing to evaluate the coronavirus spread rate in the Kingdom, and that is through a number of outlets, including examining people inside their cars and through some designated centers in various parts of the Kingdom.

On the quality and effectiveness of vaccines approved in the Kingdom, Dr. Al-Abdel Ali stressed that the procedures, policies and steps taken by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority are of a high level and very accurate, and the authority cannot waive any one of the steps being pursued to ensure the effectiveness and quality of vaccines before they are approved and allowed access into the Kingdom.