HRH Prince Salman sets example on how to protect own and everyone’s safety against COVID-19

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister has been hailed for taking a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot and setting an example for everyone to follow. Health Ministry Undersecretary Dr Waleed Khalifa Al Manea said the royal gesture was a way to show that vaccination is the best protection against coronavirus (COVID-19).

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Dr Al Manea, who is also National Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus member, expressed his gratitude for Team Bahrain’s commitment to the Kingdom’s mitigation efforts.

He urged eligible individuals to go to a health centre to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot, without the need to make an appointment. Dr Al Manea noted that eligible individuals who have already received their booster shot can continue to follow the Green Alert Level’s measures.

Yellow Alert Level

Following the Government Executive Committee’s approval, the Kingdom will adopt the Yellow Alert Level from Sunday, 19 December 2021, until Monday, 31 January 2022.

The taskforce noted that the measure is precautionary, given the Omicron variant has not spread in Bahrain. It emphasised the importance of following the precautionary measures within the Yellow Alert Level.

The decision has been taken in line with the Kingdom’s prudent approach of prioritising public health through proactive planning and in accordance with international best practice.

Proactive measure

Taskforce member, Lt Col Dr Manaf Al Qahtani, said that Bahrain is one of the first countries to introduce a proactive precautionary measure to safeguard the people. Dr Al Qahtani, Infectious Dis[1]ease Consultant and Microbiologist at the BDF Hospital, noted that the adoption of the Yellow Alert will be reviewed as further information on the Omicron variant becomes available.

He emphasised that national and international statistics have proven the effectiveness of booster shots in raising immunity, adding that a booster shot is as important as the first and second vaccine doses.