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Qatar

People over 60 years urged to call hotline for vaccine appointment

Published: 26 Feb 2021 - 10:52 am | Last Updated: 28 Dec 2021 - 11:39 am
File photo used for representation only.

File photo used for representation only.

Fazeena Saleem | The Peninsula

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has encouraged people over the age of 60 years to call the dedicated hotline number 40277077 to book an appointment and get vaccinated against COVID-19. At present, the hotline is available from 7am to 11pm.

The Ministry has highlighted that people over 60 years of age have a significantly increased risk of severe complications due to COVID-19. “Majority of COVID-19 ICU admissions are for people over 60 years of age,” said the Ministry on its social media accounts. “A safe and effective vaccine is available to protect you, join more than 200 million around the world who have safely taken the vaccine,” it added. Recently, Qatar has seen a gradual and consistent increase in the number of new daily COVID-19 infections, hospital and ICU admission.

The Ministry reported 465 new COVID-19 cases yesterday and there are 9,684 active cases under treatment at present. Among them, 13 were admitted to intensive care yesterday, and 99 people continue to receive medical attention in ICU. Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) recently activated a dedicated hotline number to enable those who are 60 years and over to book, cancel or schedule pre-booked vaccination appointments. This number will be available only to the elderly priority group at this stage.

Dr. Mariam Abdul Malik, Managing Director, PHCC earlier said: “To ensure that we are further prioritizing those most at risk of severe complications from COVID-19 we have now activated a dedicated hotline number. This dedicated number will improve accessibility for our clients and encourage uptake of the vaccine by providing further flexibility on appointment booking.”

The public is also encouraged to register their desire to receive the COVID-19 vaccine online. In Qatar Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are being administered to people. Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is being administered in three of its health centers in Al Wajba, Lebaib, and Thumama. Patients booked in for vaccination appointments at Al Wajba, Lebaib, and Thumama health centers will be informed in advance which vaccine they will receive either the one manufactured by Moderna or by Pfizer- BioNTech.