A senior health official at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has urged people who had their second Covid-19 vaccine dose more than six months ago to get their booster vaccine without any delay.
Dr Soha al-Bayat, head of Vaccination at the MoPH, said in a video posted online on Thursday that the vaccination campaign against Covid-19 has been one of the best in Qatar and worldwide, but the battle against Covid-19 was not over yet.
"Scientific research about Covid-19 vaccines continue, and the most recent clinical studies have shown that the immunity acquired from the two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine start to decrease, wane and drop six months after taking the second dose," she said. "This is why the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar has announced recently that all those who took the two doses, and it's been at least six months since they took the second dose, are now eligible to take the booster dose. All they have to do is take an appointment through one of the public health centres."
She continued, "The vaccine campaign against Covid-19 has been one of the best in Qatar and worldwide, but the battle against this virus is not over yet. We need to work together to ensure the safety of the community and this is why I urge all those who are eligible, and it's been at least six months since they took the second dose, to do so as soon as possible."
"If they haven't taken their seasonal influenza vaccine yet, I highly encourage them to do so at the same time to further protect themselves from circulating viruses," Dr al-Bayat added.
The MoPH had recently announced that all individuals who received their second Covid-19 vaccine dose at least six months ago are now eligible for a booster dose.
Earlier, a gap of eight months was required between the second dose and the booster. However, the MoPH said that due to growing clinical evidence showing that for most people the protective immunity obtained from the first two doses of the vaccine gradually begins to decline after six months, the decision has been made to reduce the duration between the second dose and the third booster dose.
The ministry said all individuals who meet the new criteria are now eligible for the administration of booster vaccines, regardless of age, are encouraged not to delay their appointment to ensure they continue to have high levels of protection against Covid-19.
Also, all eligible individuals are encouraged to get the booster vaccine as soon as possible and no later than 12 months following their second dose, to maintain their Gold Vaccinated Status on Ehteraz.
Booster vaccines are available at all Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centres, which are directly contacting people who are eligible for the booster dose to set an appointment. Anyone who is eligible and has not yet been contacted can call the PHCC hotline, 4027 7077, to schedule an appointment. Covid-19 vaccination appointments can also be made via PHCC’s bilingual mobile app, Nar’aakom.
The health ministry stressed the need to make an appointment before visiting a health centre for the Covid-19 booster vaccine by calling the number above or using the Nar’aakom mobile application.
"Scientific research about Covid-19 vaccines continue, and the most recent clinical studies have shown that the immunity acquired from the two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine start to decrease, wane and drop six months after taking the second dose," she said. "This is why the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar has announced recently that all those who took the two doses, and it's been at least six months since they took the second dose, are now eligible to take the booster dose. All they have to do is take an appointment through one of the public health centres."
She continued, "The vaccine campaign against Covid-19 has been one of the best in Qatar and worldwide, but the battle against this virus is not over yet. We need to work together to ensure the safety of the community and this is why I urge all those who are eligible, and it's been at least six months since they took the second dose, to do so as soon as possible."
"If they haven't taken their seasonal influenza vaccine yet, I highly encourage them to do so at the same time to further protect themselves from circulating viruses," Dr al-Bayat added.
The MoPH had recently announced that all individuals who received their second Covid-19 vaccine dose at least six months ago are now eligible for a booster dose.
Earlier, a gap of eight months was required between the second dose and the booster. However, the MoPH said that due to growing clinical evidence showing that for most people the protective immunity obtained from the first two doses of the vaccine gradually begins to decline after six months, the decision has been made to reduce the duration between the second dose and the third booster dose.
The ministry said all individuals who meet the new criteria are now eligible for the administration of booster vaccines, regardless of age, are encouraged not to delay their appointment to ensure they continue to have high levels of protection against Covid-19.
Also, all eligible individuals are encouraged to get the booster vaccine as soon as possible and no later than 12 months following their second dose, to maintain their Gold Vaccinated Status on Ehteraz.
Booster vaccines are available at all Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centres, which are directly contacting people who are eligible for the booster dose to set an appointment. Anyone who is eligible and has not yet been contacted can call the PHCC hotline, 4027 7077, to schedule an appointment. Covid-19 vaccination appointments can also be made via PHCC’s bilingual mobile app, Nar’aakom.
The health ministry stressed the need to make an appointment before visiting a health centre for the Covid-19 booster vaccine by calling the number above or using the Nar’aakom mobile application.
