One week has passed since the first COVID-19 vaccine has been given in Qatar and the post- vaccine surveillance showed that no serious side effects have been reported. A small number of those vaccinated reported very modest side effects including low-grade fever, mild headache, fatigue and soreness at the injection site, which is commonly seen with other vaccines.

Since the start of the vaccination campaign on Wednesday 23rd December, the PHCC teams have successfully vaccinated clients at 7 designated PHCC Health Centres, namely Al Wajbah, Leabaib, Al Ruwais, Umm Salal, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Thumama and Muaither. This early phase of the vaccination program includes those 70 years of age and older, those with severe chronic conditions and key healthcare professionals working in close contact with COVID-19 patients. It also includes essential and frontline workers of key ministries and governmental entities.

Dr Samya Abdullah commented “Unprecedented collaborative efforts in vaccinating most of the population of the country in an effort to control the pandemic and allow for the gradual return towards normal life. The vaccine has proven to be safe from the surveillance we conducted over the last few days and that is very reassuring and is consistent with the clinical trials that led to the authorization of its use. Most of the side effects are mild and there has been no report of allergic reactions to it since we started”

We know from recently completed clinical trials and post marketing surveillance of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that serious reactions are rare. The potential benefits of such a highly effective vaccine outweighs any potential risk that maybe rarely associated with it.”

Members of the community who are eligible for the vaccine will be contacted through phone/SMS by the PHCC team to invite them to attend an appointment at one of the seven designated health centres.

For more information on the COVD-19 vaccine, please visit:

https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Covid19-Vaccine/Pages/default.aspx