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Doha: Head of Vaccination at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Dr. Soha Al Bayat, has re-emphasised that people will have to continue taking COVID-19 precautions despite receiving the vaccine.
She insisted that at this stage everyone should continue to adhere to all COVID-19 precautionary measures. “At this time quarantine, wearing masks, social distancing is applied whether you are vaccinated or not,” Dr. Al Bayat said during a recent live Instagram question and answer session hosted by the MoPH.
“At this stage whether vaccinated or not, the same criteria, same restrictions, same measures are applied to all. Until we have sufficient percentage of people vaccinated, which is about 75 to 80 percent of the population; when we are sure that majority are immune and circle of infection is weakened or interrupted, we will slowly start lifting the restrictions,” she added.
In reply to a question about immunity after receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Al Bayat said sufficient amount of antibodies will not develop with one dose.
“Even if you have taken one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at this stage of time; if you are exposed to a positive case the possibility is there for you to get infected. Because most probably your body did not develop sufficient antibodies.
“That’s why we say regardless of your vaccination status that you still have to maintain hand hygiene, social distancing, and [observe] quarantine — if you have travelled abroad — as well as taking other precautionary measures,” she said. Speaking about the efficiency of the COVID-19 vaccine, she said that it’s not yet scientifically proven for how often the vaccine should be taken.
“In all honesty we don’t know if the vaccine should be taken every year or not. All what we know is that the vaccine is safe, effective and gives up to 95% protection,” said Dr. Al Bayat.
She also urged the public to register online their desire to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
People who are in the priority groups will be contacted for a vaccination appointment. Those who are not among the priority categories currently listed can also register their desire to receive the vaccine. Their details will be saved by the MoPH and they will be sent a notification as soon as they become eligible for the vaccine in the future,” said Dr. Al Bayat.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is administrated to people over the age of 16.
According to Dr. Al Bayat, those who are 16 years but still in the minor age will have to get their parents’ consent to receive the COVID-19 vaccination during the phase when they are eligible to get the vaccine.
Dr. Al Bayat also asked the public to monitor announcements by the Ministry related to COVID-19 vaccination.
