Doha: People without health cards have been suggested to register with the designated health centers in order to obtain COVID-19 vaccine.
Head of Vaccination at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Dr. Soha Al Bayat, has said that the COVID-19 vaccine will be eventually provided to all citizens and residents in Qatar and requested those without health cards to obtain one.
“The COVID-19 vaccine will be given to everyone. Even if you have a private medical insurance and don’t have a health card yet, we suggest going to the designated health centre and registering and obtaining one,” said Dr. Al Bayat in reply to a question asked during a recent session hosted by the Ministry of Public Health on Instagram.
According to Dr. Al Bayat, those registered with a health card and once eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine will be contacted by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).
She also re-emphasised that the COVID-19 vaccine is free and not mandatory but encouraged everyone to get vaccinated to protect the community against the virus.
A health card gives to access services provided by the government healthcare facilities.
To obtain a health card, the public can visit their nearest heath centre or be able to upload documents and register through PHCC’s new app called Nar’aakom.
COVID-19 vaccines are available at Qatar University Health Centre, Al Waab Health Centre, Al Khor Health Centre, Al Wajba Health Centre, Leabaib Health Centre, Al Ruwais Health Centre, Umm Slal Health Centre, Rawdat Al Khail Health Centre, Al Thumama Health Centre and Muaither Health Centre. Eventually all health centres in the country will have the vaccine.
At present in the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the target group includes people aged above 65 years (initially 70), frontline healthcare professionals and hospital workers, first responders, and people aged 16 and above with severe and chronic diseases.
The members of the community who are eligible for the vaccine will continue to be contacted through phone/SMS by the PHCC team to invite them to attend an appointment at one of the ten designated health centers.
PHCC has activated a dedicated hotline number 4027 7077 to enable to enable those 65 years and over to book, cancel or schedule pre-booked vaccination appointments. The dedicated line is currently available from 7am to 11pm.
