Saudi MoH: Mixing first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines gives better response

RIYADH — The Ministry of Health official spokesman Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali denied that mixing the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines could yield a negative effect, while confirming, “to the contrary it gives a better response”.

The Health Ministry spokesman, at the press conference here on Sunday, stressed that there is a 95 percent noticeable positive decrease in the curve of coronavirus cases in the Kingdom, and the critical cases have also seen a drop by 65 percent.

The Kingdom revealed 80 new infections recorded over the past 24 hours after continuing to slide in the last five weeks from the 500-mark, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the Kingdom to 545,992.

But despite the downward graph of coronavirus, he stressed that people need to be vigilant and follow all registered health protocols, especially calling on all to get vaccinated.

“It is important to continue taking all vaccine doses, even for those who have recovered from the virus, while continuing to adhere to the precautionary measures," he said.

The official spokesperson said that the vaccines are available in more than 500 locations, adding Saudi Arabia has administered more than 39 million doses of the vaccines till date since the start of vaccination.

In the same press conference, the Ministry of Interior spokesman Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub stated that the decision to lift the suspension of the travel ban and entry through the land, sea and air ports includes citizens and residents, unless they pass through one of the countries from which entry has been suspended.

All other segments require to spend 14-day quarantine in a third country before entering the Kingdom.

The official spokesman said that during the week, 22,875 violations of the precautionary and preventive measures against the coronavirus were detected.

He also added that whoever tries to perform Umrah without a permit will be fined SR10,000.