The Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Qatar will begin from Wednesday, a senior official said today at the press conference.

The COVID-19 vaccines will be available at 7 primary health centers for people who meet the initial priority criteria. 

The priority will be given to following groups:

1. All persons aged 70 years and above and adults in chronic care facilities (individuals of lower age groups will be included when more vaccines become available).

2. Healthcare workers and other staff in facilities designated for COVID-19 treatment

3. The basic cadres who play the role of first responders in the main ministries

4. People aged 16 years and above with severe and chronic diseases, and the priority will be for elderly people with chronic diseases 

The vaccination will be provided from seven primary health centres, which are:

1. Al Wajba Health Centre

2. Leabaib Health Center

3. Al Ruwais Health Center

4. Umm Slal Health Center

5. Rawdat Al Khail Health Center

6. Al Thumama Health Center 

7. Muaither Health Center

Dr Khal said Qatar is one of the first countries in the world to receive a coronavirus vaccine. The vaccination will contribute to a gradual return to normal life, he added.

The vaccine will initially be available in limited quantities around the world and will be delivered in phases, he said.

Even as third and fourth waves of COVID-19 infection is gripping countries around the world, with some experiencing exponential surge in transmissions due to a new strain of the virus,  the epidemiological situation in Qatar is still stable, said Dr Khal, who is also the Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 said.

"The death rate in Qatar due to COVID-19 is still low, but every death due to the virus is a great loss that could have been avoided by wearing a mask and applying the precautionary measures," Dr Khal said.