Head of Vaccination at Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Dr. Soha Al Bayat
Doha: People in Qatar have awareness about the importance and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine and a high percentage of the target groups have been vaccinated, said Head of Vaccination at Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Dr. Soha Al Bayat, yesterday.
Bayat also encouraged everyone to register at the Ministry website confirming their willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
In an interview with The Peninsula, Dr. Al Bayat said: “The people of Qatar have very high level of awareness on the importance and benefits of vaccines and are responding very well and we have high demand for the vaccine. We have high percentage of the target groups at this stage of the campaign who already took the vaccine and we believe this will continue with all categories.
“It is important to note that registration at the website to request an appointment for vaccination is available to all citizens and residents in Qatar and those who register will be contacted when they meet the criteria as per the phases of the campaign,” Dr. Al Bayat added. She said that Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be soon available in the country, while Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are equal in safety and effectiveness.
“We are looking forward for the first shipment from Moderna to arrive in Qatar soon. Hopefully by the end of the month if possible,” said Dr. Al Bayat. “Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are very similar in the mechanism used to produce the vaccine. They are also equal in their effectiveness and safety. Minor difference is in the storage requirements and the approved age for Pfizer is 16 years and above but for Moderna it is 18 years and above. Also the gap between the two doses, for Pfizer it is 21 days but for Moderna it is 28 days,” said Dr. Al Bayat.
In reply to a question how do people choose between Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine once both are available in the country, Dr. Al Bayat said that it will be based mostly on what is available at the healthcare facility at that time.
“And no need to worry about which one to take because both are equal in safety and effectiveness,” she added.
Speaking about the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Dr. Al Bayat said, “We ask all to keep pertinence as we have to prioritise those who are at higher risk and the circle of eligibility will be expanded as per the National Vaccination Plan that is published.”
Dr. Al Bayat said that the Ministry is revising and evaluating about the other COVID-19 vaccines and bringing those vaccines will be taken into consideration if needed.
