Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Public Health Authority (Weqaya) confirmed that local data indicate that 99 percent of those admitted to intensive care units of hospitals across the Kingdom are those who did not take two doses of vaccine against coronavirus.

“The vaccines approved in the Kingdom have been proven to be highly effective in protecting from COVID-19 and its complications. Those who are immune by taking two doses of vaccine are less likely to develop infections as well as from death and complications causing hospitalization,” the authority said.

The Weqaya emphasized that it is following up on what was recently published by the local and global centers specialized in the field of public health regarding the mutated variants of coronavirus, as well as the characteristics and effectiveness of vaccines, and its impact on reducing the burden of disease around the world.

The authority followed up on the developments of the mutated variants, and the impact of the first dose of the vaccine inside the Kingdom on the decrease in the epidemiological curve as well as the number of cases, and the decline of Alpha and Beta variants.

The Weqaya said it followed up on the developments regarding the Delta variant, which was found in the Kingdom recently, as studies indicate that it is fast spreading while compared to other variants, even in individuals who have been vaccinated.

But infection of Delta in people who are fully vaccinated with two doses may occur in only small percentages, compared to people who received only one dose or did not receive the vaccine.

The authority urged everyone to be fully aware of achieving total immunization with coming forward to take two doses of the approved vaccines as it protects them.

It also noted that the full vaccination has a positive impact on the epidemiological curve, as well as on preserving national gains in tackling the pandemic, and accelerating the return to normal life.