Qatar approved its first COVID-19 vaccine, clearing the way for emergency use of doses of the Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE shots to be administered across the country. The vaccine will be distributed to everyone according to the health standards set by the Ministry of Public Health. Qatar will provide the vaccines to citizens and residents free of charge.
The Ministry had signed agreements with Pfizer/ BioNTech and Moderna to procure their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are approved and released for global use. The vaccine was approved after the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Control in MoPH conducted a thorough review of the vaccine and the results of clinical studies conducted on a wide range of volunteers.
Their review showed that the vaccine is safe and effective in accordance with international standards. The approval of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine follows similar approvals in other countries including the the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
The Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, said: “The comprehensive clinical trial process undertaken on Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine has showed it is safe and 95 percent effective. Starting this month and continuing throughout 2021 we will undertake the biggest vaccine program ever delivered in Qatar. For now, it is just as important as ever that people continue to wear their masks and follow all the precautionary measures because we are still seeing people being admitted to hospital and intensive care with COVID-19.”
The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine is currently not approved for children. The Ministry has approved its use only for people aged 16 years and older. Initially, the vaccines will be prioritized for three key population groups — older people, people with certain chronic conditions and key healthcare workers, especially doctors, nurses and paramedics working directly with COVID-19 patients.
From tomorrow, the COVID-19 vaccines will be available at seven primary health centers for people who meet the initial priority criteria. People with a significant history of allergic reactions will not be administered the vaccine.
Due to the comprehensive measures put in place by the government, Qatar has recorded one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the world. The approval of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is the best hope of ending this pandemic and of life returning to normal.
