No severe side effects reported after second dose of Covid vaccine: MoPH

No severe side effects reported after second dose of Covid vaccine: MoPH

All members of the society expected to receive the Covid-19 vaccination within 2021.

According to Dr Soha al-Bayat, Head of vaccination at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), no severe side effects have been reported so far among those who took the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Qatar.

The senior MoPH official told Qatar TV yesterday, "Most complaints were about mild topical pain, body ache and mild high temperature which all pass quickly without the need for any medication. 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.’’

Dr al-Bayat also dispelled rumours that certain foods or drinks could cause side effects with the Covid-19 vaccine. However, the senior official revealed that there has been an excellent turnout and commitment among those scheduled to take the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine from those received the first dose.

All those who have received the vaccine can get an officially accredited certificate with all the related details in both Arabic and English from the MyHealth Patient Portal of the MoPH. The validity of the certificate will be valid as long as the vaccine immunity remains active. However, more clinical studies are being conducted and information is expected in due course.

Meanwhile, Dr Yousef al-Maslamani, Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital also told Qatar TV yesterday that all members of the society are expected to receive the Covid-19 vaccination within 2021.

Although, no specific date has been set for launching the vaccine for the general public, the need for everyone to continue to abide by the preventive and precautionary measures until the desired herd immunity is achieved is paramount. 

Although, there is no official decision until now requiring 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. 

Dr al-Maslamani also stressed that there is a very limited chance that less than 5% of those vaccinated against Covid-19 may not get effective protection.