Qatar’s health leaders urge those eligible for COVID-19 vaccination to get vaccinated soon

As Qatar continues to roll out its National COVID-19 Vaccination Program, the country’s senior health officials have stressed the need for eligible citizens and residents to get vaccinated soon.

In a series of posts on Twitter, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) shared messages of four health officials urging people to play their part “in enabling life to return towards normal by getting vaccinated against COVID-19” when it is their turn.

Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr Abdullatif Al Khal appreciated the overwhelming public response to the vaccination program.

Among the eligible population (12 years and over), 7 out of 10 are now fully vaccinated and 8 out of 10 have received at least one dose, Dr Al Khal mentioned.

“However, it is unfortunate that still there are people who are eligible for the vaccine because of their age or chronic disease and they have not come forward yet to get it,” he highlighted.

Play your part in enabling life to return towards normal by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 when it is your turn

Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal
Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation pic.twitter.com/PB3VW6gzkK

— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) August 1, 2021

Describing the new variants of the virus as ‘more contagious and more serious,’ Dr Al Khal said “it is more important than ever to get vaccinated.”

“I would ask these people to think about the way in which the virus has negatively affected all our lives for almost a year and a half and ask them to understand that the vaccines provide a route out of this pandemic,” he added.

Co-chairperson of the National Pandemic Preparedness Committee and Director of Health Protection and Communicable Diseases at MOPH, Dr Hamad Al Romaihi thanked the community for its support of the vaccination program so far.

“But we need one more push to ensure Qatar's population is protected from any future rise in cases or new variants,” he said.

He said that a large percentage of the eligible population has now received at least one vaccine dose.

“The evidence is clear that the more people that are vaccinated and protected from the virus, the greater our chances of winning the long-term battle against COVID-19. If you are not yet vaccinated, please act now,” he emphasized.

Managing Director of Primary Health Care Corporation, Dr Mariam AbdulMalik said, “The vaccination program continues to progress at pace, with over 20,000 people playing their part every day and coming forward for their COVID-19 vaccines.”

She highlighted that at least 84 percent of people 12 years and over have now received at least one dose, but there is a small minority of eligible people who have not yet accepted their invitations to get vaccinated.

Play your part in enabling life to return towards normal by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 when it is your turn

Dr. Mariam AbdulMalik
Managing Director of Primary Health Care Corporation pic.twitter.com/G7DrcjlnEH

— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) August 1, 2021

“To ensure Qatar's population is as protected as possible from COVID-19, we need as many people as possible to play their part and to get vaccinated. Please, get vaccinated; protect yourself, your loved ones and the community,” she stressed.

Medical Director of HMC's Communicable Disease Center, Dr Muna Al Maslamani, mentioned that based on clinical evidence in Qatar, it is clear that the vaccines are highly effective.

“There have been very few incidences in recent months where fully vaccinated patients have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Almost all patients admitted to hospital are either not vaccinated or have only had one dose,” she said.

“If you are not yet vaccinated, please play your part in beating COVID-19, helping us return towards normal life as soon as possible, and making Qatar a safer place to live for you and your family,” she added.

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