Minister opens national immunisation campaign

DOHA: Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al-Kuwari yesterday inaugurated the national immunisation campaign against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and urged parents to get their children vaccinated during the campaign to protect them from infectious diseases.
The inauguration took place at Rawdet Al-Khail Health Center in the presence of Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, Managing Director of Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) and a number of top officials at the ministry and the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). 
The first day of the campaign covered children in 18 independent and private schools, while the primary healthcare centres received younger children. The drive will continue until November 14.
“The campaign comes as part of the State of Qatar’s efforts to eradicate measles by 2020. Qatar is keen on providing a healthy environment free from the targeted diseases through the vaccination. In 1979, the National Immunisation Programme was established and it contained the latest and most efficient approved vaccines within the immunization programme for children and adults. The programme had a great impact on eradicating a number of infectious diseases in Qatar,” said the minister.
Dr Al Kuwari pointed out that the campaign targets all children in the age group from one year up to thirteen years. The medical teams will be available in all schools across the state, while the vaccination of below school-age children will be available at the Primary Health Care Centres and a number of private health facilities.
The minister commended the great concern of the citizens and residents who communicated with the ministry to get more information about the vaccination to ensure the health and safety of their children.
Dr Mariam Abdulmalik said that the PHCC, through the constant coordination with the Ministry of Public Health, is playing a significant role in combating all the diseases through various vaccination campaigns and by giving the chance to all people to take the vaccines against all types of infectious diseases.
“PHCC participation in the National Immunisation Campaign against MMR will be through providing the necessary vaccines for all children in the health centres and independent schools from the age of one year up to 13 years. That will be performed by teams comprising well-trained medical cadres (around 400 people) including physicians, nursing, pharmacists and various logistic support teams to ensure that all targeted groups have taken the vaccinations,” said Dr Abdulmalik.
The vaccine will be available at all primary healthcare centres throughout the campaign during the morning and evening shifts with no need for prior appointment and at the immunization clinic of HMC, QP (Qatar Petroleum) medical services, Al Khor community Ras Gas and Sidra Medical and Research Center. Also, the vaccines will be provided free of charge in 20 private health facilities.