The elderly people, especially those with any chronic diseases, should take the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible and the authorities concerned have given them priority, Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, Qatar’s National Health Strategy lead for Healthy Ageing, told Qatar TV on Monday.
"People as they age, usually become more vulnerable to diseases and their immunity system weakens. Their kidneys, lungs, liver and heart become less effective, which is a normal consequence of ageing, which makes the Covid-19 vaccine more important to them, especially if they have any chronic conditions," she explained.
Dr al-Hamad pointed out that if such elderly people got infected with Covid-19 they are more likely to suffer severe complication that could pose a risk to their life. So the best way to avoid such undesired critical situation is to take the vaccine as soon as possible.
She further stressed that the Covid-19 vaccine is very safe and no serious side effects have been reported so far. The normal side effects are that of any vaccine, such as pain at the injection site or high temperature, with all problems getting resolved within 24 - 48 hours mostly without any medication.
"Even though people acquire effective immunity against Covid-19 with the vaccine, they should continue to follow strictly the preventive and precautionary measures until the pandemic recedes," added Dr al-Hamad, who is also medical director of Rumailah Hospital and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute under Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Dr Al Hareth al-Khater, deputy medical director at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research, HMC, told Qatar TV that the Covid-19 vaccine is very important for cancer patients of different categories and it is crucial that they abide by the preventive and precautionary measures as cancer and some types of treatment often weakens the immune system.
