Doha: Moderna COVID-19 vaccine which is now available in the country is similar to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that was first authorised, according to Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
The Ministry started administering Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Al Wajba, Lebaib, and Thumama health centers yesterday. In a social media message, the Ministry has pointed the similarities and few differences between the two COVID-19 vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.
The MoPH has granted emergency use authorisation for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, which were already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, European Union and the UK.
Both Pfizer-BioNTech, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have shown nearly 95 percent effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection after two doses.
“Extensive clinical trials on tens of thousands of people have shown the vaccines to be safe. Millions of people around the world have already safely received the vaccination,” the Ministry said in a comparison of Pfizer-BioNTech, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is given in two doses 21 days apart for people above the age of 16 years. But Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is given in two doses 28 days apart for people above the age of 18 years.
To mention, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal had said earlier, “the Moderna vaccine is very similar to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and people should not be concerned which vaccine they are given.”
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign has begun in the country on December 23, 2020 and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was first administered at Primary Health Care Corporation’s (PHCC) health centers.
From yesterday, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is also being given to people who have already booked in for vaccination appointments at Al Wajba, Lebaib, and Thumama health centers and these people will be informed in advance which vaccine they will receive.
