Growing number of citizens and residents receive COVID-19 vaccine during ongoing inoculation drive
- 3 years ago
Public urged to get COVID-19 vaccine information only from reliable sources and follow the Ministry of Public Health’s official website and social media accounts.
A growing number of citizens and residents are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the ongoing inoculation drive in the country and yesterday two Ministers of State Ministers of State, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani and HE Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Attiyah received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
On his part HE Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani praised the leadership of the country for the efforts taken to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic from the beginning and for providing a safe vaccine to all citizens and residents and thanked the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for making Qatar one of the first countries in the world to provide a safe, effective and approved COVID-19 vaccine totally free for its population, according to a message shared by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) on social media yesterday.
HE Sheikh Suhaim bin Hamad also appreciated the Minister of Public Health HE Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari and all healthcare workers who have been serving the community since the beginning of the pandemic and called upon all eligible members of the community to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
E Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Attiyah also thanked the leadership of the country for providing the COVID-19 vaccine free for all in the country stating, ”This vaccination campaign represents importance given to the people in this country. It also affirms the commitment of the country to keep its people healthy and safe.”
During the first phase of vaccination, people aged over 70, healthcare staff and people with chronic diseases are being vaccinated. The first phase of vaccination will last until January 31. The vaccine consists of two shots, given three weeks apart.
People have been urged to get information about COVID-19 vaccine from reliable sources as there is a lot of misleading and incorrect details circulating on the Internet and social media.
MoPH has launched the COVID-19 vaccine microsite, following its decision to approve the emergency use authorisation for Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital, Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani, has emphasised the importance of deciding whether the information about COVID-19 vaccine is trustworthy further recommending the public to follow the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) website and its official social media accounts.
“Look at who is giving information, if the person is an expert in the field or an official then it is trustworthy. In Qatar for trusted information about COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Ministry of Public Health website or its social media accounts,” he said while speaking in a video message posted on COVID-19 vaccine microsite.
“Due to comprehensive measures and restrictions put by the Qatar government the COVID-19 was controlled. Despite that many lives were affected. The elderly community more isolated, children’s education was effected there are many public activities postponed. Many of our expatriate community were not able to visit their family and friends. Despite taking preventive measures like hand washing social distance, masks, the virus is still present,” Dr. Al Maslamani added.
The Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital stated that now there is an approved, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine which is our best hope to end this pandemic and take life back to normal. So the best way forward is to acknowledge our responsibility to get vaccinated, we will get closer to normal life.
Qatar started administering the vaccine from December 23 and in the first phase of vaccination until January 31, preference will be given to people over 70 years old, adults in chronic care and home care facilities, healthcare personnel most at risk of infection and people over 16 years of age with severe chronic diseases.
People who have been selected are being contacted by phone/SMS to advise them of their selection for the vaccine and invited to attend an appointment at one of the seven designated health centers.
Qatar has authorised the emergency use for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccination drive was launched at seven health centres on December 23, free of cost.
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