As part of preparations for the new academic year and return of people from summer vacations abroad, concerns are being raised about prevalence of Delta variant of COVID-19 in over hundred countries including Qatar.
It is not clear what situation will emerge in the coming weeks or months, but the question that arises is whether education sector, schools and universities, would be able to come back to preCOVID-19 pandemic situation or will be forced to continue with blended learning system.
With the extension of third phase of easing of restrictions, health officials have urged eligible people including students at different levels of education who are still not vaccinated to act now and get vaccinated.
This is not because more people vaccinated and protected from the virus, can create greater chances of winning long-term battle against COVID-19, but also on the grounds that new variants of the virus are more contagious that makes vaccination urgent and important than before. Health officials, raising voice these days and advising public to not compromise on preventive measures further called upon the individuals still not vaccinated to get the shots to avert the threat of Delta variant.
After two or more weeks, new academic year 2021/2022 is set to start bringing new concerns for safety of students and staff. Therefore parents have been urged to get their children aged 12-15 vaccinated before opening of schools to safeguard their well-being in classrooms.
“We encourage parents to have their children get vaccinated with the upcoming opening of new year to ensure safety and wellbeing of our children in classes,” Dr. Soha Al Bayat, Head of Vaccination at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), said in a video message posted on the official social media handles of the Ministry. She added: “Since the beginning of COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the community in the State of Qatar has shown great response. So far, we have about 85% of the eligible population which are aged 12 years and above who have taken at least one dose of the vaccine.”
A similar strong message was delivered by Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani, Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital, who called upon the society members to get vaccinated. “If you got the vaccine thanks for doing that. If you got the first dose please go ahead and take the second dose. If you are still hesitant, it is time for you to decide and help us control Delta variant before it spreads more in the community”.
