MoPH approves Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine​​

Qatar has left no stone unturned in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Much earlier on in the crisis, the country began implementing a series of preventive and precautionary measures while utilizing the latest technology to ensure the health and wellbeing of its citizens and residents.

While maintaining one of the lowest mortality rates for COVID-19 in the world, the country continues to fight the pandemic with all its might.

In October, The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) confirmed that it had been in talks with several pharmaceutical companies to secure the vaccine and had already signed an agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech to supply Qatar with their COVID-19 vaccine.

Earlier, on Saturday, His Excellency Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani confirmed in a tweet that the first shipment of this COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in Qatar by December 21.

Now, the MoPH has issued the approval and registration of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine. This is one of the two vaccines that MoPH has locked deals for.

In a statement, the Ministry said that this comes in implementation of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's directives regarding the arrival of the first shipment and HE the Prime Minister's directives to provide the vaccine to the citizens and residents of Qatar, based on health standards established by MoPH.

The statement further highlighted that the vaccine has been approved by the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Control in MOPH after a thorough review and analysis of results of clinical studies on a wide range of volunteers.

"Their review showed that the vaccine is safe and effective in accordance with international standards."

The MOPH approval of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine follows similar approvals in other countries including the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) December 20, 2020

The MOPH approval of this vaccine comes after similar approvals in other countries including the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

“The comprehensive clinical trial process undertaken on Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine has showed it is safe and 95 percent effective. Despite the speed at which the vaccine has been developed and tested, the usual strict testing and approval process has been followed," said Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation.

"Starting this month and continuing throughout 2021 we will undertake the biggest vaccine program ever delivered in Qatar," Dr Al Khal stated.

"For now, it is just as important as ever that people continue to wear their masks and follow all the precautionary measures because we are still seeing people being admitted to hospital and intensive care with COVID-19,” he added.

MoPH has announced the authorized supply of Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for emergency use in Qatar, for people aged 16 years and older, highlighted Dr Aisha Ibrahim Al Ansari, Director of Pharmacy and Drug Control, the Chair of the Vaccine Procurement Taskforce, Qatar.

"This comes after a rigorous process throughout which we have looked at all the evidence provided by Pfizer and BioNTech and are more than satisfied that this is a safe and effective vaccine," she said.

Here's everything you need to know about COVID-19, including ways to protect yourself.

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Cover Image Credit: For illustrative purposes only

Source: MoPH