Fourth dose of COVID vaccine now available for eligible groups

COVID vaccine

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced the availability of a fourth dose of the vaccine against COVID-19.

In a statement on Saturday, the MoPH said the fourth dose is available for individuals aged 50 years and over and individuals who suffer from chronic diseases that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 infection, regardless of their age.

The ministry called on all eligible individuals to receive their COVID-19 booster dose. Anyone aged 12 years and above who had their second dose more than six months ago is eligible for a booster dose.

Eligible people will be able to receive their booster vaccine dose at one of the 28 Primary Health Care Corporation health centers as well as the Qatar Vaccination Center for Business and Industry in Bu Garn. At present, Pfizer vaccine is approved for booster dose for those 12 and above while Moderna vaccine is approved for those 18 and above.

The ministry has issued COVID-19 precautionary advice to people traveling abroad for summer vacations.With the number of new daily COVID-19 cases in Qatar rising in recent weeks, and with many countries around the world experiencing high numbers of COVID-19 cases, the ministry stressed the importance of travellers adhering to precautionary measures when aboard to protect themselves and their families , reduce the risk of getting infected or bringing the virus back and infecting their families.

The ministry explained that even though the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in Qatar, it is still recommended for all members of the community to voluntarily follow the precautionary measures to protect their health.

The ministry recommends simple but effective precautionary measures to keep individuals safe when travelling abroad. The ministry recommends to check the COVID-19 travel policy of the country you are visiting in advance of your travel and ensure you adhere to all requirements for vaccination status and testing or any forms to be completed, check the COVID-19 measures in place within the country you are visiting to ensure you adhere to all requirements and review the MoPH COVID-19 Travel and Return Policy for the latest testing and quarantine requirements following your return to Qatar.

The ministry called on travellers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 with all doses for which you are eligible, including the booster dose before travelling, adhere to the following precautionary measures during your travel, especially in countries where COVID-19 is circulating widely in the community, wash hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer, avoid physical contact when greeting others, including abstaining from shaking hands and kissing, follow cough etiquette and use your sleeve to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing or use tissue paper and dispose of it appropriately, and wear a face mask in closed public places when you are near other people, in crowded indoor settings, near someone who has respiratory symptoms or when you have respiratory symptoms.The ministry asked to avoid gathering and crowded and poorly ventilated places as much as possible and to obtain traveller health insurance where possible.

QNA