The first phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive in Qatar expands, with vaccines now offered to all residents and citizens aged 65 and up, down from the previous age threshold of 70, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). Plus, three more Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) centres are now offering the vaccine, taking up the total of health centres currently offering the shot to ten.
Dr Mariam Abdul Malik, PHCC managing director, said that the new health centres offering the vaccine are Qatar University, Al Khor, and Al Waab.
The MoPH also announced that eligible individuals who have not been contacted to make a vaccine appointment should arrange one themselves by calling the PHCC hotline at 4027-7077.
Per the local health authority, only individuals with appointments will be allowed to receive vaccinations at the designated health centres.
Despite the optimism surrounding the vaccination campaign, the MoPH continues to emphasise that adhering to safety measures remains necessary. Although cases in Qatar are stable—with no current signs of a second wave of Covid-19 infections—the MoPH has reported a slight increase in recent days, with cases climbing to the 200 mark, up from the previous daily average hovering around 150.
So, the message is clear: keep masking up, washing your hands, and social distancing.