Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on Covid-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has revealed that the weekly rapid antigen test for students might soon apply to only unvaccinated students.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) have begun the discussion about the Covid-19 antigen tests requirements for students and will probably make a decision after careful consideration of risk factors in the ongoing pandemic situation.

Initially, the antigen test mandate was applicable from January 30 for two weeks. Al Khal states that it is likely that from the third week onwards, maybe only the unvaccinated students will be required to submit an antigen test.

The HMC official also discussed the present pandemic situation in the country and the ongoing vaccination drive for children between 5–11 years of age. He further urges the parents to get their children vaccinated at the earliest.

He clarified that the common belief amongst parents is to let the children get naturally infected, recover, and then develop their own immunity against the virus. This is not entirely true as Covid-19 infections have caused several hospitalizations among kids and it is far better to get them vaccinated as a precaution.

Al Khal also confirmed that the long-term effects of the vaccine among children are sure to increase the protective bubble of immunity, as they have already done for millions of older vaccinated children across the world. Moreover, in recent weeks, the rate of infections are dropping considering in the general public as well as among school students, so that is an encouraging factor.

MoPH health teams are also randomly conducting checks on all public and private schools to ensure the education system is operating under the prescribed precautionary measures.

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Cover Image & Source Credit : Peninsula