The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has announced that all individuals who received the second COVID-19 vaccine dose at least six months ago are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine.
The early stages of the administration of booster vaccines have required a period of eight months between the second vaccine dose and the booster vaccine for eligibility. However, MOPH stated that due to growing clinical evidence showing that for most people the protective immunity obtained from the first two doses of the vaccine gradually begins to decline after six months, the decision has been made to reduce the duration between the second vaccine dose and the booster vaccine.
All individuals who meet the new criteria are now eligible for the COVID-19 booster vaccine, regardless of age, and are encouraged not to delay their appointment to ensure they continue to have high levels of protection against COVID-19.
MOPH explained that the high rate of vaccination within Qatar’s population has been one of the most important factors in Qatar’s successful COVID-19 strategy in controlling the spread of the virus and has meant that the number of new daily COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions and deaths has remained very low recently. However, there has been a slight increase in new daily cases in the past two weeks among people who were previously vaccinated, and this is a reminder that the fight against COVID-19 is not yet over.
With COVID-19 continuing to circulate widely in many countries around the world, MOPH is strongly recommending that anyone planning travel aboard should ensure they have their booster vaccine before travel, if they received their second dose at least six months ago.
All eligible individuals are encouraged to get the booster vaccine as soon as possible and no later than 12 months following the date of their second dose, to maintain their Gold Vaccinated Status on Ehteraz.
Booster vaccines are available at all Primary Health Care Corporation health centers and PHCC is directly contacting people who are eligible for the booster vaccine dose to set an appointment. Anyone who is eligible and has not yet been contacted can call the PHCC hotline on 4027 7077 to schedule an appointment. COVID-19 vaccination appointments can also be made via PHCC’s bilingual mobile app, Nar’aakom.
MOPH stressed the need to make an appointment before visiting a health center for the COVID-19 booster vaccine by calling the number above or using the Nar’aakom mobile application.
Source: Ministry of Public Health
