Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Assistant Minister of Health and Spokesman of the Ministry Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali said that a total of 780,667 doses of coronavirus vaccine have been given since the start of the vaccination campaign until Monday.

Addressing the daily press briefing here on Monday, he rejected the rumors being circulated regarding the immunity of the vaccine, saying that the vaccination leads to an increased immunity, and the level of immunity will be higher a few weeks after receiving the vaccine jabs.

Reacting to the rumors being circulated about a decrease in the immunity of those who receive the vaccine in the first two days and that they were more vulnerable to infection and diseases, including coronavirus, the spokesman said: “This question was unfortunately associated with some incorrect and inaccurate information and scientifically undocumented sources.

“This is not correct and is not based on any solid scientific methodology or research that can be relied on,” he said while emphasizing that there is no truth in the rumors about any decrease in immunity or negative impact after receiving vaccination. “Rather, the vaccination leads to an increase in immunity, which reaches a high a few weeks after taking the shots,” he said.

Dr. Al-Abdel Ali reiterated the call to all members of the society to initiate and accelerate registration on the Sehhaty application to obtain vaccines, stressing that they are safe and effective.

“The vaccine is considered as the most powerful and most important weapon to confront the pandemic,” he said while reminding everyone that appointments will be made available directly through the application when registering those within the category of 65 years of age or above.

Commenting on a question about interval period between the two doses of the vaccine, which may extend to about two and a half months, and the possibility of taking it at a sooner date, the spokesman said: “The interval period between the first and second doses comes according to scientific rules, and the second date is given based on the scientific recommendations of studies and research that were conducted and showed that this is the recommended period to be between the two doses.

“So we must adhere to the dates that are given for taking vaccines as long as the recommendations in the current phase showed to it,” he said.

Dr. Al-Abdel Ali also noted that the ministry trusts very much on the scientists, experts and scientific committees in the Kingdom that take these decisions. “We are enlightened and guided by their recommendations,” he added.