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Ammon News - The Senate's Health, Environment and Population Committee, headed by Dr. Yassin Husban, on Monday discussed with the Minister of Health, Dr. Firas Hawari, and Director-General of Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), Dr. Nizar Mheidat, the latest developments related to the Kingdom's epidemiological situation and foodstuff safety.

Husban's inquiries focused on Jordan's preparations to face the "high" rates of daily Covid-19 infections, number of hospital admissions and precautionary measures at the level of official and educational institutions.

On Jordan's immunization drive, Husban also inquired about the percentage of the number of Covid-19 vaccine recipients, as well as the ministry’s plans to administer a third booster dose.

Hawari, for his part, said the increase in the number of daily Covid-19 cases is expected, especially after reopening all sectors and resumption of in-class in Jordan's schools.

Government will not back-pedal from in-person learning in schools, Hawari said, adding that the Kingdom will not witness "a new wave like in the past," and hospitals have "sufficient" capacity to receive admissions.

33 percent of Jordan's infections recorded daily come from the age group of 10 to 17 years old, he said, noting that this category represents some 2 million people of Jordan's population.

The Kingdom, he expected, would not record more than 3,000 Covid-19 cases per day.

Regarding the national immunization programme, Hawari said the number of first dose recipients nearly stands at 4 million, while the number of two-jabbed people reached 3.5 million.

With regard to the third booster dose, the minister noted this process has kicked off to the age group over 60 years and health sector workers about a month and a half ago.
During the coming weeks, third dose will be administered to all age groups who have received the two doses 6 months ago, according to Hawari.

In turn, Mheidat said Jordan's food is "safe," adding that all imported foodstuffs are subject to "strict" monitoring procedures.

Mheidat added that ensuring foodstuffs' safety and quality is carried out in the JFDA's laboratories, with all required lab analyses conducted by "qualified" technicians using the "latest and most accurate advanced" equipment and based on international scientific criteria.