Temporary COVID-19 vaccination center set up at QNCC
As Qatar begins enlarging its national COVID-19 vaccination program, it has launched a temporary vaccination center at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC).
During its first phase, the center will provide vaccinations to teachers, school administration staff and other essential workers as well as community members who meet the eligibility criteria.
His Excellency Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior visited the center yesterday to review the country’s plan to expand the national COVID-19 vaccination drive.
HE the PM inspected the center and was briefed on its operations. The center is operated by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
افتتاح مركز التطعيم ضد (كوفيد -19) في مركز قطر الوطني للمؤتمرات لتطعيم المعلمين وموظفي المدارس وأفراد المجتمع
— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) February 18, 2021
Opening of the COVID-19 vaccination center at Qatar National Convention Centre for teachers, school administration staff and other community members pic.twitter.com/L4NPxgK0Nw
Her Excellency the Minister of Public Health, Dr Hanan commented, “So far in our National COVID-19 Vaccination Program, our efforts have focused on vaccinating our most at-risk populations: our elderly, those with severe chronic conditions, healthcare workers, frontline workers and other essential workers. The addition of this new vaccination center will enable us to increase our capacity to vaccinate even more essential workers and open more opportunities for the general public to be vaccinated.
“For now, we urge everyone who is high risk or over 60 years of age who has not yet been vaccinated to make an appointment for the vaccination.”
Managing Director of PHCC, Dr Mariam Abdulmalik explained, “To ensure the safety of the community and a smooth and efficient process, invitations for appointments will be delivered in a phased and efficient approach.”
Teachers and school administration staff will receive an SMS inviting them to come to the center for the vaccination during dedicated time slots.
“Vaccinations will be administered only to those that have received an invite; others are requested to wait until they receive an SMS invite,” Dr Abdulmalik added.
The Ministry also announced yesterday that people who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar will be exempt from quarantine requirements following travel abroad and following exposure to a COVID-19 positive case.
“To qualify for quarantine exemption, 14 days must have passed after receiving the second dose and a negative PCR test is required on return to Qatar following travel or following exposure,” Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation said.
This exemption will be valid for three months, starting 14 days after the second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, he said.
“This may be extended in the future with the availability of more clinical evidence,” Dr Al Khal highlighted.
“The exemption does not currently apply to people vaccinated in other countries,” he added.
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