The age threshold for Covid-19 vaccination has been lowered to 50 for all Qatar residents, a top official at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced Wednesday. “This will facilitate more people to be vaccinated in the coming days,” said Dr Soha al-Bayat, head of Vaccination, MoPH, during an online live question and answer session.
“In addition, people with chronic illnesses as well as frontline workers are eligible for vaccination, irrespective of the age limit. Qataris of all age categories are eligible for vaccination from today. Hopefully soon, the next phase will be announced and non-Qataris also will have a lower age group,” continued Dr al-Bayat.
“In addition, people with chronic illnesses as well as frontline workers are eligible for vaccination, irrespective of the age limit. Qataris of all age categories are eligible for vaccination from today. Hopefully soon, the next phase will be announced and non-Qataris also will have a lower age group,” continued Dr al-Bayat.
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The official also told that Moderna vaccine is expected to be available in Qatar soon. Meanwhile, MoPH Wednesday issued an emergency use authorisation for Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for use in the country. The vaccine was approved after the Pharmaceutical Control Department at MoPH carried out an extensive review of the vaccine and assessed the results of clinical studies.
Dr al-Bayat said that at present Qatar has made agreements for Covid-19 vaccine only with Pfizer and Moderna and if needed, agreements will be made with other companies for more vaccine. She encouraged everyone to register online for vaccination so that more people, especially those in the priority groups can be reached out at the earliest.
“The online registration will allow people who meet the requirements of priority groups to request an appointment for vaccination,” noted Dr al-Bayat. She hoped that sufficient number of people will be vaccinated against Covid-19 in the country by summer so that herd immunity can be achieved.
Dr al-Bayat also said that children -- below the age of 16 for Pfizer vaccine and those aged under 18 for Moderna -- cannot be provided the vaccine as no clinical trials for this group has been completed. “When the approval for this category is given by the drug companies, they will also be provided the vaccine. Pfizer vaccine has two doses with a gap of 21 days while Moderna has a gap of 28 days between the two doses,” she pointed out.
As for a question regarding the possibility of getting affected by Covid-19, after taking the first dose of vaccine, she answered in the affirmative. “It is possible that people may get affected by the virus even after taking the first dose of the vaccine. However, it could be very mild. That is the reason why we have to follow all the protective measures even if you take the vaccine,” she highlighted.
The official also urged the public to continue the protective methods and strictly follow all the Covid-19 protocols even after taking two doses of vaccine. “It is essential that you follow all the measures such as wearing mask, hand sanitisation as well as social distancing until sufficient number of people are vaccinated so that the spread of virus does not happen,” she added.
Dr al-Bayat said that at present Qatar has made agreements for Covid-19 vaccine only with Pfizer and Moderna and if needed, agreements will be made with other companies for more vaccine. She encouraged everyone to register online for vaccination so that more people, especially those in the priority groups can be reached out at the earliest.
“The online registration will allow people who meet the requirements of priority groups to request an appointment for vaccination,” noted Dr al-Bayat. She hoped that sufficient number of people will be vaccinated against Covid-19 in the country by summer so that herd immunity can be achieved.
Dr al-Bayat also said that children -- below the age of 16 for Pfizer vaccine and those aged under 18 for Moderna -- cannot be provided the vaccine as no clinical trials for this group has been completed. “When the approval for this category is given by the drug companies, they will also be provided the vaccine. Pfizer vaccine has two doses with a gap of 21 days while Moderna has a gap of 28 days between the two doses,” she pointed out.
As for a question regarding the possibility of getting affected by Covid-19, after taking the first dose of vaccine, she answered in the affirmative. “It is possible that people may get affected by the virus even after taking the first dose of the vaccine. However, it could be very mild. That is the reason why we have to follow all the protective measures even if you take the vaccine,” she highlighted.
The official also urged the public to continue the protective methods and strictly follow all the Covid-19 protocols even after taking two doses of vaccine. “It is essential that you follow all the measures such as wearing mask, hand sanitisation as well as social distancing until sufficient number of people are vaccinated so that the spread of virus does not happen,” she added.