The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is picking up pace across Qatar. The State has surpassed administering 3 million vaccine doses under the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) statistics showed that 71.3 percent of the eligible population as having received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 58.2 percent of the eligible population receiving two doses. Also, 90.3 percent of people over 40 years of age have received at least on dose of the vaccine.
The State is vaccinating its citizens and residents with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Both have shown high levels of safety and efficacy in trials and people should not be concerned about which vaccine they are offered.
Last week, the new Qatar Vaccination Center – for Business and Industry Sector began its operations. The facility is one of the multiple vaccination centers that have been established to ensure Qatar’s vaccination program is delivered at speed. The facility, one of the largest vaccination centers in the world and covering more than 300,000 square meters, has over 300 vaccination stations and 700 staff.
Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, said: “The opening of this new center highlights Qatar’s commitment to continuing the fast roll-out of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program which has seen a noticeable increase in the number of vaccinated people.”
Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, Managing Director of Primary Health Care Corporation, said: “With the new Center providing capacity for more than 25,000 doses a day, and continuing capacity for 15,000 doses a day across our 27 health centers, the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program maintains capacity for up to 40,000 doses a day.” With Qatar having an approved and effective vaccine, citizens and residents have the opportunity to become protected and live free from the threat of the virus.
PHCC also launched a new service to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments online through its bilingual mobile app, Nar’aakom. The service is an extension of the digital transformation of health care services that PHCC rolled out in 2020, empowering people to access health services anywhere and anytime.
The current priority group for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility is 30 years and above, however children aged 12 to 18 years can also be registered to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar. Qatar administers the vaccines free to all residents and citizens. The MoPH has urged everyone to continue to adhere to the precautionary measures, especially wearing the mask and to maintain social distancing.
