A third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is not anticipated in Qatar owed to the vaccines used in the country that are among the best in the world and offer high efficacy, according to a senior health official.

In an interview with Qatar Television yesterday, Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Strategic Group on COVID-19 and head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation said, “We are on our way to winning the battle against the COVID-19 with 60 percent of the population vaccinated with one dose and 46 percent with two doses.”

He mentioned that so far 40 percent of the population is yet to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and therefore remain vulnerable to the infection.

Dr Al Khal stressed the importance of exercising caution until 80 to 90 percent of the population is vaccinated. “This is because the virus has mutations,” he said.

He advised everyone to take the vaccine and give the vaccine to their children (12-17 years) as its effectiveness and safety have been proven.

“The side effects of the vaccine are generally mild and there is no medical objection to vaccination except for people who are allergic to the first dose,” he said.

Overall, the COVID-19 situation has been improving in Qatar as seen in all public health indicators, assessed by the country’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

Among other factors, the number of daily cases as well as hospital admissions due to COVID-19 have been on a decline.

“Going back is possible, as it happened before. When we entered the second wave of the pandemic several months ago we had to go back and impose more restrictions. We were able to control the epidemic by imposing more restrictions in addition to expanding the vaccination,” Dr Al Khal said.

الدكتور عبداللطيف الخال : العودة إلى الوراء واردة ونأمل في أن لا نعود إلى فرض مزيد من القيود وهذا يعود إلى درجة التزام أفراد المجتمع بالإجراءات والاحترازات الوقائية

#حياتنا #تلفزيون_قطر pic.twitter.com/CIsDc1lAGK

— تلفزيون قطر (@QatarTelevision) June 17, 2021

The senior health official further emphasized adherence to preventive and precautionary measures against COVID-19.

“It’s like an adventure because the virus, even for the youth, is difficult to predict its symptoms. And even if the person recovers, he may suffer from chronic symptoms such as fatigue, lack of focus and headache,” he said.

Dr Al Khal mentioned that the symptoms of infection and illness can be more severe for unvaccinated individuals. “Those who do not take the vaccine are risking their health and lives because they leave themselves exposed to the virus.”

Qatar enters phase two of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions today, June 18.

--

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

YouTube - qatarlivingofficial

Source: Gulf Times