Qatar approves emergency use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
- 3 years ago
In implementation of the directives of HH the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani regarding the arrival of the first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech on Monday, the Ministry of Public Health has issued the approval and registration of COVID-19 vaccine, which is one of the two vaccines MoPH has secured agreements to purchase.
In implementation of directives of HH the Amir regarding the arrival of the first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech on Monday, and the directives of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior , MOPH issued approval and emergency use of the vaccine. pic.twitter.com/1DPXaoiTR6
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) December 20, 2020
The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine was approved after the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Control in MoPH conducted a thorough review of the vaccine and the results of clinical studies conducted 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 US, UK and Canada.
Director of Pharmacy and Drug Control, and Chair of the Vaccine Procurement Taskforce Dr Aisha Ibrahim Al Ansari said, “We announced the authorised supply of Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for emergency use in Qatar, for people aged 16 years and older. 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."
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
Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, the Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation, said: "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.”
"Starting this month and continuing throughout 2021 we will undertake the biggest vaccine programme ever delivered in Qatar. 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,” added Dr Al Khal.
Comments