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First phase of COVID-19 vaccination campaign begins in Qatar
Expected to be the largest vaccination campaign the country has ever witnessed, the vaccination drive against COVID-19 has been set in motion in Qatar, as of today.
The first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNtech's COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Qatar on Monday night. Earlier that day, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) approved this COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in Qatar.
The first phase of the vaccination drive will run from today until January 31, 2021.
During the first phase, priority will be given to people over 70 years old, adults in chronic care, and home care facilities, healthcare personnel most at risk of infection, and people over 16 years of age with severe chronic diseases.
Seven primary health centers including Al Wajba Health Center, Leabaib Health Center, Al Ruwais Health Center, Umm Salal Health Center, Rawdat Al Khail Health Center, Al Thumama Health Center, and Muaither Health Center will administer the COVID-19 vaccine to those who meet the initial priority criteria.
"Citizens and residents within these priority groups will be contacted by text messages and telephone calls from a PHCC health professional to arrange their vaccination appointment," Dr Samya Al Abdulla, Executive Director of Operations at Primary Health Care Corporation highlighted.
She further mentioned that this COVID-19 vaccine requires a second shot to be given 21 days after the first.
"Our appointment team will book patients in for their second vaccination visit and it is essential that people keep to this date and attend their appointment as planned, as any delay can impact the vaccine’s ability to offer protection. Full immunity develops around one week after the second dose of the vaccine," she mentioned.
Qatar's vaccination strategy will enable everyone to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021, but for now with a limited quantity of vaccines, priority is a must for people most at risk from severe complications and death from the virus. This was announced at a press conference held by MoPH earlier this week.
Recently, the Ministry also launched a microsite for the COVID-19 vaccine yesterday, which comprises answers to some commonly asked questions regarding the vaccine.
Safe and Reliable Vaccine
Dr. Soha Al Bayat, Head of Vaccination at MOPH, explains that the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe and has passed all regulatory approvals. pic.twitter.com/wkoa9Ks98B
— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) December 22, 2020
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