No reason to worry about safety of vaccine, says official

Though there is no plan to make the Covid-19 vaccine compulsory in Qatar, some countries or airliners may insist on the vaccination for people to enter their territories or board their aircraft, Dr Yousuf al-Maslamani, medical director of Hamad General Hospital, told Qatar TV Monday.

"In case of Covid-19, it is clear that the people who have taken the vaccine, would be preferred," the senior official observed while describing that such a decision would be the respective countries choice and right to ensure the desired protection.

"In Qatar, the seasonal flu vaccine, which is being given for several years, is not compulsory and has always remained a personal choice," he pointed out.

Dr al-Maslamani was of the view that normal life would resume across the world once around 70-80% of the population receive the Covid-19 vaccines, which would take some time.

"Besides, it was predicted earlier that the pandemic situation globally would be much tougher, given the increasing number of cases in some countries.

"However, in Qatar the situation remained stable and there is no sign of a second wave of infection due to the high level of public awareness and people abiding by the precautionary and preventive measures, and the intensive efforts exerted by the authorities concerned in this regard."

Dr al-Maslamani reiterated that so far there is no reported serious side effects for those who have taken the Covid-19 vaccine in Qatar and most reports were regarding a topical pain at the site of vaccination, but disappearing within 24 hours, which is normal in the case of all types of vaccines.

He also stressed there is no reason for the public to have any worries or concerns about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine, given the long and established record of the quality and safe services offered by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to both citizens and expatriates.

Regarding the extremely low temperature needed to store the vaccine, he explained that this is normal but it is transferred to normal refrigerators before being administered to any person, and this also is nothing to worry about. The vaccine would reflect positively on all and in time give the necessary protection for resuming normal life.

Regarding the reason for updating the chronic diseases list, he explained that in March last year the issue was new and little information was available but now it is known that some people with stable and under control chronic diseases would suffer similar complications to healthy people in case of Covid-19 infection.

As more supply of the Covid-19 vaccine arrives in the country, more people can get vaccinated, he added.