COVID-19: 19 million Moroccans missed 3rd booster shot appointment

A total of 19 million Moroccan citizens missed their third booster shot appointment, while the number of vaccinated people with 3 shots did not exceed 5 million nationwide, according to the scientific committee’s data.

The weak demand for vaccination nationwide, especially for the third booster shot comes as a result of spreading rumors that state the booster shot may cause side effects or even death in some cases.

The virology expert, Mustapha Naji told Hespress in a statement that “over 24 million Moroccan citizens have received the second shot, while most of them still did not receive the third booster shot, despite exceeding a 4-month period, noting that “there are not protected, even putting themselves and others at risk of contracting the virus.”

“Morocco was able to overcome the Omicron wave, as related cases and death rates decreased,” calling on to preserve this decrease, as some countries are currently experiencing the sixth wave, Naji continued.

Those who contracted COVID-19 should follow the treatment protocol in order to prevent the spread of the virus, the virology expert said, noting that “Morocco has put into place several efforts in making the vaccine available as well as ensuring the safety of citizens nationwide.”

The virology expert called on citizens to receive their COVID-19 vaccine shots and to continue respecting precautionary restrictions, including proper mask-wearing, disinfection, and social distancing.

The Health Ministry said on Tuesday that Morocco has moved from the high-risk red level to the orange level during the last week, as new Omicron infections decreased by 50% nationwide.

The reproduction rate is set at 0.80 nationwide, less than 1, which means the country entered the descent phase of the virus, said the Health official, Mouad Merabet.

“COVID-19 cases will decrease even further, but this does not mean that the virus will cease to exist,” he added.

Earlier this month, some of the country’s health restrictions were lifted, allowing the air border to reopen on February 7, in an effort to improve some activity sectors, mainly tourism and economy.