Top Bahrain health expert urges to take booster doses as fear of new variant grows | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Top Bahrain health expert urges to take booster doses as fear of new variant grows | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

A top Bahrain health expert yesterday called on all to take booster doses as more countries tightened border controls over concerns regarding the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Yesterday, the UAE, Oman, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia and several other countries joined world nations by imposing restrictions on travel from South Africa. Bahrain, Britain and the EU took similar measures on Friday. Bahrain had reinstated its Red List by including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini. Meaning, Bahrain suspended entry to travellers from these countries on all flights, including those who had transited through Red List countries. Omicron dubbed a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation, is potentially more contagious than previous variants of the disease. It was first discovered in South Africa and later in Belgium, Botswana, Israel and Hong Kong. Citing the circumstances, Dr Jameela Al Salman said, “It is crucial to take the booster dose for its effectiveness in enhancing immunity.” Dr Al Salman, a member of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and Salmaniya Medical Complex Infectious and Internal Diseases consultant, said this citing the calls made by the countries monitoring the new variant to complete the specified doses