People urged to get information about COVID-19 vaccine from reliable sources

People have been urged to get information about COVID-19 vaccine from reliable sources as there is a lot of misleading and incorrect details circulating on the Internet and social media. 

Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital, Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani, has emphasised the importance of deciding whether the information about COVID-19 vaccine is trustworthy further recommending to follow the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) website and its official social media accounts. 

“Look at who is giving information, if the person is an expert in the field or an official then it is trustworthy. In Qatar for trusted information about COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Ministry of Public Health website or its social media accounts,” he said while speaking in a video message posted on COVID-19 vaccine microsite.

MoPH has launched the COVID-19 vaccine microsite, following its decision to approve the emergency use authorisation for Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine. 

Dr. Al Maslamani has said that vaccine is the best hope to end the pandemic. 

“Due to comprehensive measures and restrictions put by the Qatar government the COVID-19 was controlled. Despite that many lives were affected. The elderly community more isolated, children’s education was effected there are many public activities postponed. Many of our expatriate community were not able to visit their family and friends. Despite taking preventive measures like hand washing social distance, masks, the virus is still present,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.

“Now we have an approved, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine which is our best hope to end this pandemic and take life back to normal. If we acknowledge our responsibility to get vaccinated, we will get closer to normal life,” he added. 

Qatar started administering the vaccine from December 23 and in the first phase of vaccination until January 31, preference will be given to people over 70 years old, adults in chronic care and home care facilities, healthcare personnel most at risk of infection and people over 16 years of age with severe chronic diseases. 

Eligible group of the population receive the COVID-19 vaccine at seven designated health centers for free.  

“The deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine marks a new chapter in our fight against COVID 19. It will play important role in saving lives and protecting the community. The whole purpose of this vaccine is to protect the community and help getting life back to normal,” said Executive Director of Operations at Primary Health Care Corporation, Dr. Samya Ahmad Al Abdulla. 

She said that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to deliver a smooth and efficient service to the public during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. “Your safety is our priority,” said Dr. Al Abdulla.

People who have been selected are being contacted by phone/SMS to advise them of their selection for the vaccine and invited to attend an appointment at one of the seven designated health centers.