Some top officials from Qatar's health sector, who have been leading the country in its battle against COVID-19, received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine yesterday. 

The officials reiterated that this vaccine has undergone all necessary medical trials and is safe and reliable.

They also urged the public to take the vaccine when provided the opportunity. 

“The start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Qatar is a hugely significant moment for Qatar after what has been a very challenging year for everyone. I have full confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage all those high-risk members of our community who are eligible in this first phase of the campaign to take this opportunity to protect themselves and get vaccinated," said Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Sheikh Dr Mohammed Al-Thani highlighted that the vaccine providers and regulators have worked hard to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"The arrival and widespread acceptance and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine here in Qatar will empower us to return to our pre-COVID-19 lifestyles sooner rather than later," he said.

"To ensure this I ask you to take the vaccine when you are able to and also encourage your vulnerable family members to as well," he added.

Dr Hamad Eid Al Romaihi, Co-chairperson of the National Pandemic Preparedness Committee and Director of Health Protection and Communicable Diseases at MoPH expressed his pride in Qatar for being one of the first countries in the world "to provide a safe, effective and approved COVID-19 vaccine for its population."

"This safe and effective vaccine has passed all trials and been approved by the European Union's medicines regulator, the European Medicines Agency, the United States Food and Drug Administration, and the Ministry of Public Health's Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Control. With sufficient uptake of the vaccine in our community we can look forward to a gradual return to normal life," he noted.

Medical Director, Communicable Disease Center, HMC, Dr Muna Al Maslamani drew attention to the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of everyone in Qatar.

"Lives have been lost and many people have been admitted to hospital with severe symptoms," she said, emphasizing the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

"The widespread uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is our best chance of returning to normal life. It has been subjected to rigorous medical trials and has been shown to be safe and effective. I urge you and your loved ones to take the vaccine when the opportunity arises," she said.

Dr Soha Al Bayat, Head of Vaccination, MoPH said, “COVID-19 has made 2020 a difficult year for all of us. Now we have access to the COVID-19 vaccine here in Qatar, we have the opportunity to start a gradual return to normal life and activities. To get to this point the vaccine has undergone extensive testing to ensure it is both safe and effective. I encourage everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to take it when it is their turn."

Several community dignitaries, prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine, were part of the first group of people who received the vaccine against COVID-19 at Leabaib Health Center on the first day of the vaccination program.

This group included former Minister HE Ali bin Saeed Al-Khayarin, and former Diplomat, HE Sherida bin Saad Al Kaabi, MoPH mentioned in a statement.

HE Al-Khayarin thanked the country's wide leadership and healthcare officials for their efforts to secure the COVID-19 vaccine for the people of Qatar.

“Trusting in God almighty and in the efforts being made by the health sector officials to protect our beloved country from this pandemic, I was keen to get vaccinated and fulfil my role in protecting my health and that of the community," he said.

"Qatar has spared no effort to provide the best COVID-19 vaccines to its population and I’m confident this campaign will be a success and will serve the best interest of our community," he added.

The first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination program began in Qatar on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, and will run until January 31, 2021.

During the first phase, priority 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.

Qatar's vaccination strategy will enable everyone to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021, but for now, with a limited quantity of vaccines, priority is a must for people most at risk from severe complications and death from the virus.

This will be the largest vaccination campaign the country has ever witnessed, the MoPH highlighted in a press conference earlier this week.

The vaccine is being administered to citizens and residents completely free of charge.

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Cover, Inline Images Credit, and Source: MoPH