Officials during the panel discussion.
Doha: Qatar University’s (QU) Health Cluster hosted a panel discussion via WebEx on “COVID-19 Vaccines: Your Questions Answered.”
The discussion aimed to raise awareness on the vaccination for COVID-19 and clarify misconceptions.
QU President, Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham and Vice President for Medical and Health Sciences and Dean of the College of Medicine, QU, Prof. Egon Toft delivered the opening remarks.
Director of Public Health, Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al Thani during the virtual discussion, explained the significance of the Ministry’s efforts in mitigating the effects of the pandemic, reducing the number of deaths, mobilising the public, providing accurate information, and providing vaccines to the population swiftly.
A Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Al Wakra Hospital and CD, Dr. Masautso Chaponda was on hand to answer questions regarding the vaccine.
“There were no shortcuts taken,” Dr. Chaponda said.
“The vaccine went through the same phases that any vaccine would go through,” he added, correcting the misconception that the vaccine was “rushed.”
Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and the Head of Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, spoke about the goals of the National Vaccination Program, such as targeting those who are at greater risk, reducing the number of hospitalised patients and achieving herd immunity.
He also detailed the phases of the vaccination plan, explaining the current phase targeting adults aged 50 to 69, people with comorbid and underlying conditions, additional health care workers and essential workers, and 50 percent of teachers, among other groups.
Head of Vaccination at MoPH and COVID-19, Contact Track and Trace Lead for Qatar, Dr. Soha Al Bayat said the public’s response to receiving the vaccine has been commendable.
She added that the MoPH hopes to vaccinate 70 to 80 percent of the community, which will make it harder for the virus to transmit from person to person.
Health Protection Manager and Preventive Health Directorate at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) Dr. Khalid Elawad, spoke about PHCC’s role in being the direct line to the community.
The PHCC is responsible for targeting individuals based on the National Vaccination Program’s phase and booking their appointment.
Dr. Elawad also shed light on the vaccine’s side effects, stating that any potential side effects were mild.
He also stressed the need for the community to take their vaccination appointments seriously and to take the second dose at the appropriate time.
The panel speakers stressed the need to avoid taking or sharing information about the vaccine from untrusted sources such as messages disseminated on social media. They said people should instead seek out official sources for accurate information on COVID-19 and its vaccine.
A PhD student in Biological and Environmental Sciences, QU & Manager of Diagnostic Test at National Reference Laboratories, MoPH, Mashael Al-Badr moderated the panel discussion.
