No severe side effects have been reported so far among those who took the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Qatar, a senior official told Qatar TV on Monday.
"Most complaints were about mild topical pain, body ache and mild high temperature, which all pass quickly without the need for any medication," explained Dr Soha al-Bayat, head of vaccination at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
She also dispelled rumours that certain foods or drinks could cause side effects with the Covid-19 vaccine. There has been an excellent turnout and commitment among those scheduled to take the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine from the targeted priority category who already received the first dose.
"Very few people failed to show up for the second dose. Most of them came a little bit after the original appointment. Some of them have high temperature or pain, in which case it is normally recommended to delay the second dose.
"Those who got the vaccine receive an officially accredited certificate with all the related details in both Arabic and English. The certificate is also available at the MyHealth Patient Portal of the MoPH.
"The certificate will be valid as long as the vaccine immunity remains active, according to available information from the manufacturers, as more clinical studies are being conducted and information is expected in due course.
"More batches of the vaccine would be received in the country, so more people could be covered until the desired herd immunity is achieved. However, everyone should continue to abide strictly by the preventive and precautionary measures even after taken the second dose of the vaccine until about 75% of the people are vaccinated.
Vaccination for all within 2021
Dr Yousef al-Maslamani, medical director of Hamad General Hospital, told Qatar TV on Monday that all members of the society will receive the Covid-19 vaccination within 2021.
No specific date has been set for launching the vaccine for the general public. Currently, only the priority groups are being vaccinated.
Further, there is no official decision until now regarding the requirement of quarantine for those who have been vaccinated and returning to Qatar from abroad.
"It may be required to conduct Covid-19 tests for such category too at international airports to ensure that the vaccine is effective. There is a very limited chance that less than 5% of those vaccinated against Covid-19 may not get effective protection.
Dr al-Maslamani also stressed the need to continue to abide by the preventive and precautionary measures until the desired herd immunity is achieved.