COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective for younger children, says Saudi health expert

With Pfizer's anti-COVID-19 vaccine found to be safe for children aged 5-11, Saudi Arabia's inoculation program for young children is now in progress. (SPA file photo)
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Updated 22 December 2021
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COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective for younger children, says Saudi health expert

  • Dr. Sameera Al-Jehani, a pediatric infectious diseases consultant, says young children will receive 10-microgram doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be administered 21 days apart

JEDDAH: Health authorities in Saudi Arabia began administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children between the ages of 5 and 11 on Tuesday.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for this age group last month, after the manufacturer satisfied the regulatory requirements by providing data showing it is safe for children.

Dr. Sameera Al-Jehani, a pediatric infectious diseases consultant, told Arab News: “The COVID-19 vaccination regimen, consisting of two 10-microgram doses of BNT162b2 (the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine) administered 21 days apart, was found to be safe, immunogenic and efficacious in children 5 to 11 years of age.”

The 10 microgram dose of the vaccine is lower than the 30 microgram dose given to older children and adults.

With COVID-19 cases once again spiking globally, and concerns about the rapid spread of the new omicron variant, a number of countries have begun to prioritize the vaccination of younger children. Several nations have approved the emergency use of the vaccine for the 5-11 age group, including France, the US, the UAE, Oman, Thailand, Germany, Spain and Canada.

The US Food and Drug Administration said on Oct. 29 that vaccine safety and effectiveness had been studied in a group of almost 3,100 children, and the immune response in those between the ages of 5 and 11 was comparable to that in people between the ages of 16 and 25. The vaccine was found to be 90.7 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 in children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US has recorded almost 2 million cases of COVID-19 among younger children. Although most children experience only mild symptoms they can pass on the virus to more vulnerable elderly relatives or people with underlying medical conditions.

“Without effective COVID-19 vaccines for this age group, children could potentially become ongoing reservoirs of infection and sources of newly emerging variants,” Al-Jehani said.

The Saudi Ministry of Health said that initially the vaccination effort for younger children will prioritize those considered vulnerable and at high risk from the virus.

“Direct benefits of preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in children include protection against severe disease, hospitalizations and severe or long-term complications, such as MIS-C,” the ministry said. MIS-C is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a condition in which parts of the body become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or gastrointestinal organs.

“Indirect benefits include the likelihood of reduced transmission in the home and in school settings, including transmission affecting vulnerable persons, and safer in-person learning. COVID–19 associated school closures and quarantines also have social and economic costs for families and caregivers.

“Widespread vaccination across these age groups is therefore essential in ongoing efforts to curtail the pandemic," said Al-Jehani.

Saudi authorities reported 252 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The total number of infections since the start of the pandemic now stands at 551,462. Two additional coronavirus-related deaths raised the total number of fatalities to 8,867.

The Ministry of Health said that of the cases that remain active, 30 patients are in critical condition. It added that a further 109 patients have recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 540,393.

More than 48.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered since the nation’s immunization campaign started, and more than 23 million people are fully vaccinated.

The ministry, which has set up 587 facilities across the Kingdom to administer the jabs, urged all who have not yet received a vaccine to get one. It also reiterated its calls for the public to adhere to precautionary measures and to register with the Sehhaty app to schedule vaccination.

Testing hubs and treatment centers set up throughout the country have helped millions of people since the pandemic began.

Taakad centers provide COVID-19 testing for those with no or mild symptoms or who believe they have come into contact with an infected person, while Tetamman clinics offer treatment and advice to those with symptoms such as fever, loss of taste and smell, and breathing difficulties. Appointments for both can be made through the ministry’s Sehhaty app.


Successful marketing tour of China and Singapore concludes

Updated 18 sec ago
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Successful marketing tour of China and Singapore concludes

JAZAN: The Saudi Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, represented by the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, has ended its 28-day marketing tour of China and Singapore.

The trip took in the International Logistics and Supply Chain Fair in China and the Seafood Expo Asia 2024 in Singapore. Both events are leaders in their field and offered a chance to highlight investment opportunities available in Jazan.

The tour also included a total of 33 visits across 12 cities to several major companies and factories specializing in the food industry and logistics services.

It also included organizing meetings in several Chinese provinces that were attended by more than 600 investors.


Four new imams appointed at the Two Holy Mosques

Four new imams have been appointed at the Two Holy Mosques. (@PRAGOVSA)
Updated 44 min 42 sec ago
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Four new imams appointed at the Two Holy Mosques

  • Sheikh Badr bin Muhammad Al-Turki and Sheikh Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Shamsan were appointed as imams at the Grand Mosque
  • Sheikh Muhammad bin Ahmed Barhaji and Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Qarafi were appointed as imams at the Prophet’s Mosque

RIYADH: Two new imams have been appointed at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and another two at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Sheikh Badr bin Muhammad Al-Turki and Sheikh Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Shamsan were appointed to the prestigious position at the Grand Mosque while Sheikh Muhammad bin Ahmed Barhaji and Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Qarafi were appointed at the Prophet’s Mosque.

The appointments were made by royal decree, SPA said.


Netzero and Goumbook forge partnership to accelerate reforestation, carbon offset efforts

Updated 03 October 2024
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Netzero and Goumbook forge partnership to accelerate reforestation, carbon offset efforts

RIYADH: Netzero, a Saudi Arabian environmental startup revolutionizing tree planting, signed an agreement last week with Goumbook, a UAE-based social enterprise emphasizing sustainability and environmental initiatives in the region.

Mohammed Alkhalid, founder and CEO of Netzero, said that the partnership represented a significant milestone, offering global expansion as it showcased Goumbook’s expertise and environmental networks to broaden the impact of Netzero’s creative tree-planting technique.

“This partnership represents a powerful step forward in our mission to reshape the future of our planet,” Alkhalid said. “Together, we are merging technology with nature, community with purpose, and vision with action.

“We believe that afforestation is more than planting trees — it’s about planting the right species in the right place, ensuring transparency in the process, and connecting people to the land and restoring balance to our ecosystems. We are excited to grow this vision together, with a dedicated partner,” he said.

The partnership aims to achieve environmental outcomes throughout the region, including leading large-scale projects for afforestation across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The project will emphasize biodiversity, specifically where each tree will be planted and tracked using artificial intelligence to ensure long-term growth and carbon offset accuracy.

Another objective is establishing a community engagement plan, where people will connect with the two companies through a platform, allowing schools and local communities as well as businesses to sponsor tree planting, and providing them with an opportunity to contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Tatiana Antonelli Abella, founder of Goumbook, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with Netzero in this transformative partnership, which amplifies our shared commitment to environmental stewardship.

“At Goumbook, we believe that every tree planted is a symbol of hope and action — an investment in the future of our planet. By merging Netzero’s AI-driven technology with our deep-rooted knowledge of sustainability and regional ecosystems, we are paving the way for more impactful, data-driven reforestation and afforestation efforts.”

“Together, we are not just planting trees, we are creating resilient ecosystems, empowering communities and taking meaningful steps toward long-term environmental change,” she said.

Netzero is a part of the Sidra Initiative by the Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture, focused on using artificial intelligence to improve reforestation and land management to reduce carbon emissions worldwide.


Top Islamic coalition official meets UN anti-terror chief

Updated 03 October 2024
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Top Islamic coalition official meets UN anti-terror chief

  • Aim of meeting was to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism

RIYADH: The secretary-general of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghidi, welcomed the director of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mauro Modico, to the coalition’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The aim of their meeting was to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism, and to enhance strategic relations between their organizations. They reviewed several key issues and discussed ways in which they can work together in pursuit of global peace and security.

Modico acknowledged the pivotal role the Islamic coalition plays in efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, praised the strong relationship between the organizations and said he hopes for even greater cooperation in future.

He underscored the importance of forging international partnerships to help promote global security and stability, and said coordination of this kind remains the cornerstone of effective counterterrorism efforts.

His visit to Riyadh coincided with a symposium titled “Future Prospects for Countering Terrorism through Digital Technologies,” which was organized by the coalition.


FEM1 shipping service to Jeddah enhances Mawani’s role

Updated 03 October 2024
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FEM1 shipping service to Jeddah enhances Mawani’s role

  • It comes within the framework of Mawani’s efforts to improve the maritime network’s connectivity index with global shipping lines

RIYADH: The Saudi Ports Authority, also known as Mawani, has announced the addition of the new FEM1 shipping service, in partnership with CStar and UGL, to Jeddah Islamic Port.
It aims to enhance the movement of imports and exports to and from the port, supported by reliable and efficient operations in a safe and sustainable environment.
It comes within the framework of Mawani’s efforts to improve the maritime network’s connectivity index with global shipping lines, while enhancing the competitiveness of ports and increasing their connectivity with worldwide locations.
It is in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and aims to promote the Kingdom’s standing as a global logistics center.
The new shipping service connects Jeddah Islamic Port to Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo and Nansha in China, Klang in Malaysia, and Istanbul in Turkiye.
The addition of new maritime shipping services to Jeddah Islamic Port contributes to strengthening its central role due to its distinctive strategic location, enabling it to connect the three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa.
In addition, it confirms its competitive advantage for exporters, importers and shipping agents as the first port on the Red Sea coast in the field of maritime transit trade, container and cargo transportation.