Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health (MPH), Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani
Doha: The Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health (MPH), Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani (pictured), said that Qatar tops the countries of the region in providing the highest coverage of safe and high quality vaccines, exceeding 95 percent.
Speaking at a press briefing on the sidelines of a workshop organized by the Ministry yesterday to review the activities of the World Immunization Day, the Director of the Public Health Department said that the celebration of World Immunization Week aims to encourage the people of Qatar to get the necessary vaccinations at the specified times to ensure protection against infectious diseases, stressing that the State of Qatar is keen to deliver vaccinations to all citizens and residents to give them immunity for a long healthy life and wellness of the Qatari community.
The MPH is marking the World Immunization Week from 24 to 30 April under the theme ‘Protected Together: Vaccines Work’, chosen by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the theme for this year’s celebration.
During the week, emphasis is placed on the need for further work in immunization field around the world, and on highlighting the role that can be played by all in the achievement of this work.
The MPH will organise several events and activities in cooperation with governmental, semi-governmental and private health institutions in Qatar on the occasion of the World Immunization Week, including a workshop that was held today during which specialists from the MPH and Hamad Medical Corporation highlighted the latest development in the national vaccination program which is considered one of the best national immunization programs in the Eastern Mediterranean region as it provides a wide range of vaccines against many diseases. During the workshop, the participants in the immunization activities and events were also honoured.
The Head of the MPH’s Immunization Department, Dr Soha Al Bayat, said that the Ministry, in cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, National Advisory Committee and all health authorities in the country, aims to emphasize the quality and safety of vaccinations available in Qatar that are adopted by the World Health Organization, in addition to cooperating with Ministry partners to achieve vaccination targets.
She explained that the access to vaccinations is not limited to those in the approved schedule, but also includes vaccines for travel, study or treatment abroad, noting the need to ignore rumors about vaccinations and to receive information from official sources.
